Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity Studies of the Petroleum Fruit Extract of Spondias mombin, Aegle marmelos, Limonia acidissima, and Syzygium cumini

Abstract

Introduction: Oxidative stress is a key factor in numerous chronic diseases, driving the search for natural antioxidants from medicinal plants as alternatives to synthetic compounds. This study aimed to scientifically evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of methanolic extracts from four traditionally used plants: Spondias mombin, Aegle marmelos, Limonia acidissima, and Syzygium cumini. Methods: The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as a standard. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA), with vincristine sulfate as a positive control. Dose-response curves were analyzed to determine half-maximal inhibitory and lethal concentrations (IC₅₀ and LC₅₀). Results: All extracts exhibited dose-dependent antioxidant activity. S. mombin, A. marmelos, and L. acidissima showed significant potency at low concentrations (3.125–50 µg/ml), surpassing BHT. S. mombin was the most potent antioxidant (IC₅₀ = 100.6 µg/ml), exceeding BHT (IC₅₀ = 120.2 µg/ml), while S. cumini was the least potent (IC₅₀ = 200.6 µg/ml). In contrast, the cytotoxicity profile revealed that S. mombin and S. cumini were highly toxic (LC₅₀ < 0.78 µg/ml), comparable to vincristine. L. acidissima was the least cytotoxic extract. Conclusion: The integrated analysis suggests distinct therapeutic pathways. The potent antioxidant activity combined with low cytotoxicity makes L. acidissima a prime candidate for nutraceuticals. Conversely, the strong cytotoxicity and antioxidant capacity of S. mombin indicate high potential for anticancer research. A. marmelos offers a balanced profile for general therapeutics, while S. cumini's bioactivity likely involves mechanisms other than direct radical scavenging. These findings validate the traditional use of these plants and guide their application-specific development.