Nutritional Compositions and Antiproliferative Activities of Different Solvent Fractions from Ethanol Extract of Cyphomandra betacea (Tamarillo) Fruit.

Maisarah Abdul Mutalib,Asmah Rahmat,Rajesh Ramasamy,Faisal Ali,Fauziah Othman

doi:10.21315/mjms2017.24.5.3

Abstract

This study aims to examine various solvent extracts of Cyphomandra betacea (tamarillo) also known as the tree tomato, for their bioactive constituents and antioxidant activity. The study also aims to examine its effect on cancer cell death using two types of cancer cell lines (liver and breast cancer cell). The first part of the study evaluates the nutritional composition of tamarillo. Then, phytochemical profiling using GC-MS analysis in ethanolic tamarillo extract was conducted. Different fractions of n-butanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were obtained from the ethanolic extract of tamarillo. Then, the fractions were subjected to the quantification of total phenol (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC), free radical scavenging activity (SA) and also antioxidant activity (AOX) assayed by beta-carotene bleaching (BCB) assay. Finally, the capability of the ethanolic extract of tamarillo and different fractions were evaluated for their anticancer properties. Findings from this study revealed that the nutritional composition (ash, protein, carbohydrate and total dietary fiber), and mineral levels (calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron) of tamarillo were moderate. The crude ethanol extract of tamarillo contained the highest phenolic and total flavonoid content. FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of alkanes, carboxylic acid, phenol, alkanes, carboxylic acids, aromatics and nitro compounds. Twelve bioactive constituents in tamarillo have been identified through GC-MS analysis. Cytotoxic activity suggests the potential of ethanolic extracts of tamarillo having a chemopreventive effect on breast and liver cancer cells. This study reveals that tamarillo has substantial antioxidant activity as well as anticancer properties.

Highlights

The release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl radical (OH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and superoxide anions (O2-) from an impaired mitochondrial respiratory chain plays a crucial role in oxidative stress (OS)
The high content of moisture in the samples suggested that they have high perishability [20], while a high amount of ash present is interrelated to the quantity of minerals present in the samples [21]
Na is responsible in the control of plasma volume, acid-base stability, muscle and nerve contraction while K is important for its diuretic function [23]

Summary

Introduction

The release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl radical (OH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and superoxide anions (O2-) from an impaired mitochondrial respiratory chain plays a crucial role in oxidative stress (OS). The term OS can be well-defined when the production of ROS and antioxidants is unstable, which leads to several pathological conditions including cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic dysfunction of several important organs [1]. Free radicals attack important macromolecules such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids that cause the alteration of these molecules. They later develop a risk of mutagenesis [2]. Chemopreventive properties of antioxidants are hypothesised to minimise carcinogenesis triggered by oxidative stress through direct scavenging activity or by its inhibitory killing properties [5]. This study aims to examine various solvent extracts of Cyphomandra betacea (tamarillo) known as the tree tomato, for their bioactive constituents and antioxidant activity. The study aims to examine its effect on cancer cell death using two types of cancer cell lines (liver and breast cancer cell)

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Conclusion