PHYTOCHEMICAL, ANTIOXIDANT AND CYTOTOXIC PROPERTIES OF THE FRUIT EXTRACT FROM CUCURBITA DIGITATA

Objectives: The aim of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical, antioxidant and cytotoxic property of the fruit extract from Cucurbita digitata. Methods: The phytochemical screening in fruit extracts from C.digitata was performed for carbohydrates, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, triterpenoids, phenols, phytosteroids, phlobatannins, alkaloids, anthraquinones, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and phenolic acids. The color intensity or the precipitate formation was used as analytical responses to these tests. The total antioxidant capacity was evaluated by an array of experiments such as FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay), DPPH(1,1-diphenil-2-picrylhydrazyl), NO (Nitric oxide) and SO (Superoxide) assays. The annihilation activity of free radicals was calculated in % inhibition and absorbance. The cytotoxicity and cell viability was calculated by using MTT (Microculture Tetrazolium Assay) colorimetric assay. Results: The phytochemical screening showed positive results for flavonoids, quinones, carbohydrates, phytosteroids, glycosides and coumarins. Total contents of 7.44mg/g, 6.78mg/g, 0.89mg/g, 345.5mg/g, 167.5mg/g and 5.56mg/g were respectively obtained for flavanoids, quinones, coumarins, carbohydrates, glycosides and phytosteroids in 100 g of the dry sample. The antioxidant capacity measured was effective in Methanol extract and showed inhibition greater than 58% at150 µg in DPPH (1,1-diphenil-2-picrylhydrazyl), NO (Nitric oxide) and SO (Superoxide) assay and absorbance value 1.8 at 150 µg in FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay). For the MTT (Microculture Tetrazolium Assay) cytotoxicity studies, the cell viability was about 55% at 750 µg. Conclusion: Cucurbita digitata fruit extract demonstrated the presence of secondary metabolites with potential antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.