ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT FROM STEPHANIA ELEGANS

Abstract

Objective: The present work was aimed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant and anti-cancer activities of methanolic extract of Stephania elegans, an unexplored species from Menispermaceae family. Methods: The methanolic extract of S. elegans tubers was prepared and phytochemical screening and total phenolic content were analyzed by using standard methods. In vitro, antioxidant potential of methanolic extract was determined by 2-2’-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cell line, Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 type (MCF-7) was evaluated by 3-(4, 5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, and saponins in the methanolic extract of S. elegans tubers. The total phenolic content in the methanolic extract was 23.0±0.06 mg GAE/g (dry mass). As revealed by ABTS assay, the methanolic extract of plant tubers showed significant radical scavenging activity (IC 50 41.66±0.015 μg/ml). The reducing power activity of the extract increased with the concentration of the extract. MTT assay indicated that S. elegans has potent cytotoxic activity towards MCF-7 cells (IC 50 158.7±0.13 μg/ml). Conclusion: This is the first study demonstrating the antioxidant and anticancer capabilities of the methanolic extract of S. elegans. This study also provides a significant basis for further isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds from S. elegans.