Bioactive Compounds and Cytotoxicity Assessment of Diplazium Esculentum Leaf Extracts
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Diplazium esculentum, an edible fern widely consumed and used in traditional medicine across Asia, was investigated for its phytochemical composition and biological activity. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis of leaf extracts revealed the presence of essential oils, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, alkaloids, and phenols. The cytotoxicity of the extract was evaluated using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) and Allium Cepa Test. The BSLA results showed that the extract was non-toxic to Artemia salina nauplii at different concentrations, with LC50 values of 18,706 ppm at 24 h and 112,490 ppm at 48 h, indicating low toxicity. The Allium Cepa Test revealed no chromosomal aberrations and a high mitotic index of 66.66, further confirming the low cytotoxicity of the extract. The antibacterial activity of the crude extract was assessed using disc diffusion or Kirby-Bauer assays against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The zones of inhibition of the extract-impregnated discs were compared to those of the positive controls, Meropenem for E. coli and Clindamycin for S. aureus. The results showed that both bacterial strains were resistant to the extract, with average zones of inhibition of 9.74 mm for E. coli and 10.49 mm for S. aureus, indicating low antimicrobial activity. Despite the presence of various secondary metabolites, the D. esculentum leaf extracts exhibited low cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity, suggesting that they may not be suitable for antibiotic development. Future studies should explore alternative plant parts, extraction techniques, and biological activities to elucidate the therapeutic potential of this edible fern.
Author: Balaho, Melissa N.
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6911625314
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