Abstract:
The antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-cancer potential of aqueous
root and rhizome extract (ARRE) of Smilax zeylanica was investigated
against human liver carcinoma cells. The phytochemical
composition was evaluated by standard methods, and confirmed
by thin-layer chromatography. Free radical scavenging
activity was determined by DPPH assay, cytotoxic activity by
brine shrimp lethality assay, and anti-cancer potential was investigated
using liver carcinoma HepG2 cells. Phytochemical analysis
revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids,
proanthocyanins, tannins, and polyphenols. The total phenolic
and flavonoid content varied from 0.28 to 5.26 mg gallic acid
equivalent 100 mg−1 and 0.25–50.26 quercetin equivalent
100 mg−1, respectively. There was a linear relationship between
the free radical scavenging activity and phytochemical concentrations
with an IC50 value of 108 ± 1.2 μg mL−1 compared to the
standard (IC50: 2.59 ± 0.02 μg mL−1). The brine shrimp lethality
assay showed strong cell killing ability (IC50: 84 ± 0.7 μg mL−1)
and the extract induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells (77 ± 1.52%) at
300 μg mL−1, comparable to the positive control
(camptothecin).
