Phytochemical composition, antioxidant and cytotoxicity of the aqueous extracts of Dracaena arborea andBridelia ferruginea: in vitro and in silico studies.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the phytochemical profile, antioxidant and cytotoxicity of the aqueous extracts of Dracaena arborea (DA) and Bridelia ferruginea (BF). The phytochemical composition, total phenolic (TP) and flavonoid (TF) contents of the extracts were determined by GC-MS, Folin Ciocalteu and AlCl3 methods, respectively. The antioxidant power was estimated using DPPH and ABTS+ radicals scavenging method, and cupric and ferric reducing capacity assay. The effect of extracts on hemolysis was also determined using red blood cells. Selected phytocompounds were docked against some oxidative stress (Keap1 and GST) and cytotoxicity (PARP10 and p90 RSK) proteins. The TP and TF content of BF was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that of DA. The DPPH, ABTS+, cupric and ferric reducing activity of BF were significantly (p < 0.05 − 0.001) higher than those of DA. DA decreased the viability of PC3, NIH3T3 and BT474 cells in a dose-dependent manner, while BF tended to feed the cells. Drug-Likeness and toxicity prediction of selected compounds found in the plant extracts were within the acceptable standards, according to Lipinski’s rule. BF has the possibility to be exploited in the prevention/treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases, while DA could be a potential anticancer agent.