Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant assay, and cytotoxicity assay of ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts of five Philippine alocasia species

ABSTRACT: Five Philippine Alocasia species (A. clypeolata, A. heterophylla, A. nycteris, and A. portei) were determined for the presence of phytochemicals, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activity to elucidate their pharmacological properties and lay the groundwork for further studies on their anticancer potential. The species under investigation were qualitatively tested for alkaloids, carbohydrates, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, phytosterols, proteins, amino acids, saponins, tannins, and terpenes; most of which were determined to be present in the samples. Notable absences are saponins in A. clypeolata and A. portei, cyanogenic glycosides in A. heterophylla, and tannins in all species. All samples were determined to have strong antioxidant activity via DPPH free radical scavenging assay, and moderate to high cytotoxicity via brine shrimp lethality bioassay. In total phenolic content determination, the chosen methodology was incompatible with the quantitation of phenolic compunds in the sample, suggesting the use of higher extract concentrations in succeeding analyses. The presence of active metabolites in the extracts is inferred to be responsible for the positive results of the assays. The results suggest pharmacological potential and pursuance of future investigations on these Alocasia species for their anticancer capabilities.

ABSTRACT: Five Philippine Alocasia species (A. clypeolata, A. heterophylla, A. nycteris, and A. portei) were determined for the presence of phytochemicals, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activity to elucidate their pharmacological properties and lay the groundwork for further studies on their anticancer potential. The species under investigation were qualitatively tested for alkaloids, carbohydrates, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, phytosterols, proteins, amino acids, saponins, tannins, and terpenes; most of which were determined to be present in the samples. Notable absences are saponins in A. clypeolata and A. portei, cyanogenic glycosides in A. heterophylla, and tannins in all species. All samples were determined to have strong antioxidant activity via DPPH free radical scavenging assay, and moderate to high cytotoxicity via brine shrimp lethality bioassay. In total phenolic content determination, the chosen methodology was incompatible with the quantitation of phenolic compunds in the sample, suggesting the use of higher extract concentrations in succeeding analyses. The presence of active metabolites in the extracts is inferred to be responsible for the positive results of the assays. The results suggest pharmacological potential and pursuance of future investigations on these Alocasia species for their anticancer capabilities.

Filipiniana