Identification of bioactive compounds in water extract of sarang semut (Myrmecodia pendans) bulb and its potential for the inhibition of hela and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells

Abstract

Sarangsemut (Myrmecodiapendans) or ant-nest plant is a potential medicinal plant. The water extract of this plant is well-known to cure many kinds of disease including cancer. Phytochemicals present in this plant are suspected to be responsible for its health benefits. Water extract obtained at 100C and 30 min extraction shows the highest radical scavenging activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the highest cytotoxicity towards cervix (HeLa) and breast (MDA-MB-231) cancer cells. The water extract is fractionated using n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The n-butanol fraction is found to contain the highest amount of total phenolic content, DPPH scavenging and cancer cell cytotoxic activities. Identification of bioactive compounds in the n-butanol fraction is performed using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and ultraviolet detector. Forty-eight antioxidant compounds are identified in the water extract, and 37 compounds among them are reported for the first time. cytotoxic activities. Identification of bioactive compounds in the n-butanol fraction was performed using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and ultraviolet detector. Forty-eight antioxidant compounds were identified in the water extract, and 37 compounds among them were reported for the first time.