Abstract

This study evaluated the antioxidative and antiproliferative activities of phytochemical components from the leaves of Spondias mombin. Leaves of S. mombin were macerated in 80% methanol for 72 h and the extract obtained was fractioned sequentially into water, n-butanol, ethyl acetate and dichloromethane. Ability of extract and fractions to scavenge 2,2–diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl, nitric oxide and superoxide radicals were evaluated. A colorimetric sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay was used for measurement of cell proliferation in four cell lines: KB (oral cancer), C – 33A (cervical cancer), MCF – 7 (breast cancer) and A – 549 (lung cancer) with NIH3T3 (mouse fibroblast) as control cell line. The structures of isolated compounds were established by detailed spectroscopic studies. Ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions showed highest radical scavenging activity while the dichloromethane fraction demonstrated the best anti-proliferative activity. Chromatographic separation of the combined ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions yielded some compounds out of which quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and undec-1-ene were characterized. The present study demonstrates that the nature of solvent is a crucial variable modulating the availability and activity of phytochemical components and that S. mombin is a potential source of chemically diverse prophylactic and chemotherapeutic agents.

Key words: Antiproliferative activity,bioactive compounds,radical scavenging property,Spondias mombin