Bioactivity of Apis dorsata Nest Extract from a Different Geographical Location in Minahasa, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

The content of Apis dorsata Binghami nesting secondary metabolites differs based on the availability of plant feed sources. The present study was conducted to test for in vivo Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) and radical scavenging activity of the ethanolic extracts of the nest. Nests were obtained from various natural habitats in the Minahasa area. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in LC50 (lethality concentration 50), while radical scavenging activity was evaluated in IC50 (inhibitory concentration). This research was conducted in 2021–2022. Results showed that the ethanolic extracts of the nest from North Minahasa had a higher phytochemical content intensity than other nest extracts from Minahasa. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of all the ethanol extract of the nest from Minahasa was stronger than the positive control of ascorbic acid. The best IC50 was shown by the nest ethanol extract from North Minahasa (57,67 mg/mL). The toxicity of nest ethanol extract was below 500 mg/mL, where the highest LC50 was shown by North Minahasa nest extract (208.498 mg/mL). However, the extract toxicity based on the BSLT test was moderate. Thus, nest extract has the potential to be developed as a bioactive source of herbal medicine