Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and cytotoxicity activity of Muntingia Calabura (ceri kampung) fruit

Muntingia calabura or locally know as ceri kampung is an indigenous plant species that belongs to Elaeocarpaceae family and widely distributed in tropical region including Malaysia. The species is traditionally believed could treat common ailments due to its active pharmacological activities of bioactive constituents. However, the potential of M. calabura fruit is considered not extensively explored and researched. In this present study, the extract M. calabura in methanol was analysed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FTIR), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and further evaluated its antioxidant activities by Total Phenolic Content and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Besides, the antimicrobial and cytotoxicity properties of M. calabura were assessed based on Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and brine shrimp lethality test. FTIR analysis exhibited the presence of functional groups (hydroxyl group, methylene group, acetyl group, amide group and carbohydrate) and gallic acid that represents high total phenolic content that was determined by HPLC. The presence of active metabolites determined by DPPH assay also showed antioxidant properties of M.calabura. From cytotoxicity activity, the result obtained indicated it’s possibly potential as anticancer with improved isolation of bioactive suggested. In conclusion, these findings determined the bioactive compounds of M. calabura has antioxidant properties and potential anticancer that can be improved with proper modification prior to its extraction in further study.