Antioxidant, Cytotoxic and Hypolipidemic Activities of Plumeria alba L. and Plumeria rubra L.

Abstract

Methanolic flower extracts of Plumeria alba and P. rubra were tested for in vitro antioxidant potential, cytotoxicity and hypolipidemic activities. DPPH assay of methanolic extract of Plumeria revealed that 81% and 72% inhibition by P. alba and P. rubra respectively and the total phenolic content was found as 173.9 µg ml-1 and 167.3 µg ml-1. Significant free radical scavenging activities of 1.74 mg ml-1 and 1.67 mg ml-1 were observed due to the higher phenolic content. Anti-chlolesterol assay of the extracts demonstrated P. rubra has highest hypolipidemic activity (60%) followed by P. alba (52%). MTT assay using HCT 116 cell lines revealed the antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities of P. alba with an IC50 value of 259.9 µg ml-1. Plumeria species could be a new source of drugs for the treatment of colon cancer and hyperlipidemic conditions due to higher antioxidant potential and phenolic content which was revealed from the study.