Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Endemic Variety of the Western Ghats Garcinia gummi-gutta var papilla and Garcinia xanthochymus

Nowadays, there is a rapid increase in cancer incidence around the world. Hence, there is an urgent need for more efficient natural medicine treatments with fewer side effects. The genus Garcinia belongs to the family Clusiaceae and is regarded as a rich source of secondary metabolites. Compounds identified in Garcinia species have applications in treating cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The present study aims to analyse the essential phytocompounds in the methanolic leaf extracts of Garcinia gummi-gutta var. papilla (GP) and Garcinia xanthochymus (GX) and to compare the antioxidant and anticancer capabilities of the extracts. Using HR-LC MS, composition and structure of bioactive compounds in extracts were determined. In vitro antioxidant activities of methanolic leaf extract were investigated by DPPH assays, ABTS assays, hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical and nitric oxide radical scavenging assays. In vitro cytotoxicity was studied using MCF-7 cell lines, and the growth inhibitory effects of the extracts were assessed by MTT assay. Around 21 potential compounds have been identified from GP and 19 from GX. In all the antioxidant assays, GP shows moderate antioxidant activity than GX. In in vitro cancer studies, GP showed fewer side effects on L929 cells and higher cytotoxicity on MCF-7 cell lines. GP proved to be a good anticancer agent. Results revealed higher antioxidant activity and anticancerous activity for GP than GX. Due to the abundance of compounds with antioxidant and anticancer properties, GP serves as a species of interest for further research on anticancer drugs.