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In the Ayruvedic herbal system in Sri Lanka, Passiflora suberosa is used to treat many diseases
including diabetes. The present study was conducted to evaluate in vitro antioxidant potential
and cytotoxic activities o f methanol and water extracts, obtained from P. suberosa leaves. P.
suberosa leaves were powdered and extracted with methanol and water to obtain the crude
extracts. Antioxidant capacity o f different concentrations o f aqueous and methanol extracts
were determined by their ability to scavenge free radical using l-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil
(BPPHy end by antihaemolytic activity. Similar concentrations were further tested for
cytotoxicity using brine shrimps cytotoxicity assay. IC50 values were calculated to evaluate
both antioxidant properties and toxicity o f plant extracts. According to DPPH assay, IC50
values o f both aqueous and methanol leaf extracts were 74.33 pg/ml and 418.67 pg/ml
respectively. The IC50 value o f the aqueous extract o f P. suberosa leaf was significantly less
than that o f the standard ascorbic acid, which was found to be 166.17 pg/ml. Whereas IC50
values o f antihaemolytic activity were 80.08 pg/ml and 610.25pg/m l in aqueous and methanol
leaf extracts respectively. Results from brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay, showed that IC50
values for aqueous and methanol extracts o f P. suberosa leaves were 60.26 pg/m l and 309.02
pg/ml respectively. The aqueous extract o f P. suberosa leaves exhibited better antioxidant
activity and cytotoxic activity than the methanol extract. Hence, present findings suggest that
extracts o f P. suberosa leaves possess applicable natural antioxidant and cytotoxic potential.
Further, P suberosa leaves possess better antibxidant activity than ascorbic acid, which is a
well-established antioxidant. Hence, extracts from P. suberosa leaves can be considered as
potential antioxidant and cytotoxic agents as w ell as imminent candidate for cancer therapy.
