Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Effect and Antioxidant Activity of Fractions Isolated from Stenochlaena palustri (Burm.f.) Bedd. Leaves

Introduction: Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.f.) Bedd. is an edible fern from Blechnaceae family, native to India through Southeast Asia to Polynesia and Australia. The study was conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic effect and antioxidant activity of fractions obtained from Stenochlaena palustris leaf extracts. Methods: Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.f.) Bedd. was tested for its antioxidant activity using DPPH assay and in vitro cytotoxic effect against HeLa cancer cell line using MTT assay. Major fractions were obtained from ethanol and ethyl acetate leaves extract of Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.f.) Bedd. through gravity column chromatography and the secondary metabolites were screened using qualitative phytochemical analysis. Results: In DPPH assay, the highest radical scavenging activity was exhibited by fraction 11 of ethanol extract and fraction 4 of ethyl acetate extract at 98.47±0.002% (ED50=0.120 mg/mL), and 81.38±0.018% (ED50=0.650 mg/mL), respectively. Meanwhile, ascorbic acid and kaempferol exhibited radical scavenging of 80.95±0.002% (ED50=0.014 mg/mL) and 98.67±0.006% (ED50=0.011 mg/mL). As for MTT assay, the percentages of cell viability of both cell lines decreased as the concentration increased. Fraction 7 of ethanol extract and fraction 1 of ethyl acetate extract exhibited the lowest IC50 value of 4.58 μg/mL and 8.60 μg/ml, respectively. Doxorubicin hydrochloride showed lowest IC50 value of 2.21 μg/mL against HeLa cells. Conclusion: The fractions isolated from ethanol and ethyl acetate leaves extract of Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.f.) Bedd. exhibited higher cytotoxic effect against HeLa cells, and higher radical scavenging activity.