Phytochemical, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial properties of the endemic dagwey (saurauia subglabra merr.) of the philippines

Abstract

The Saurauia subglabra Merr. locally known as dagwey is an endemic plant of Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. This plant was not studied extensively as to its pharmaceutical, cosmeceutial, and nutraceutical value. Consequently, this analysis was carried out to establish the dagwey's phytochemical, antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties. The procedure used includes sampling and preparation, phytochemical screening, calculation of total phenolic material, radical scavenging activity of DPPH, median inhibitory concentration, lethality assay of brine shrimp, and antimicrobial assay. The results showed that anthraquinones, coumarines, essential oils, flavonoids , phenols and triterpenes were present in the dagwey. The dagwey fruit had a higher phenolic content than the leaves but the leaves had a higher level of radical scavenging and antioxidant than the fruit. Interestingly, the dagwey displayed increased cytotoxic activity against brine shrimps. Results also revealed that the dagwey exhibited antimicrobial activities against gram negative and gram positive bacteria, and against pathogenic fungi. Although the dagwey exhibited lower antimicrobial activities than the control drug, the dagwey fruit extract displayed significantly higher antifungal activity against Malassezia furfur than the positive control. Thus, Saurauia subglabra could be a potential source for antifungal agents against Malassezia furfur and as a source for anticancer agents. Future research directions are discussed towards the pharmacological efficacy of this plant in humans.