Exploring the phytochemical profiles, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of crude extracts from fresh and dried Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) fruits

Abstract

Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) is one of eleven species that belongs to the Sapindaceae family, which is native to Australia. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemicals, antioxidant capacity, and cytotoxic activity in vitro of Tuckeroo extracts prepared from fresh or dried whole fruits, or just their skin, using acetone (50%) or methanol (50%). Spectrophotometric analysis was conducted to determine total phenolic content and antioxidant properties, and HPLC analysis was applied to further identified major compounds within the extracts. Cytotoxic activities of the extracts were also tested on ten cancer cell lines including HT29 (colon); U87, SJ-G2 (glioblastoma); MCF-7 (Breast); A2780 (ovarian); H460 (lung); A431 (skin); Du145 (prostate); BE2-C (neuroblastoma); MIA PaCa-2 (pancreas); and one non-tumour derived normal breast cell line (MCF10A). The results showed that the type of samples or solvents used significantly affected the levels of phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and cytotoxicity of the extracts. The extract prepared from the fresh skin of the Tuckeroo fruits had the highest level of phenolics, individual major bioactive compounds, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. Fresh Tuckeroo fruit skin is a rich source of phytochemicals, which are potentially potent biologically active agents for application in the health industries. More studies are recommended to further isolate, identify and assess the anti-cancer potential from extract prepared from Tuckeroo fruit skin.