Phytochemical composition and evaluation of marine algal Sargassum polycystum for antioxidant activity and in vitro cytotoxicity on hela cells

Introduction: Sargassum polycystum is one of marine algal which has a potent antioxidant anticancer activities. This research aims to investigate phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and in vitro cytotoxicity of marine algal Sargassum polycystum on cervical HeLa cancer. Methods: Sargassum polycystum collected from Dompu beach, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat Province, Indonesia, were extracted into organic solvent of n-hexane, ethylacetate, chloroform and ethanol, respectively. Subsequently, Sargassum polycystum extracts were applied for Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis, phytochemistry test, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, as well as for antioxidant activity test by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method, and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation on HeLa cells by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Results: Phytochemical analysis of S. polycystum extracts are positive for metabolites of flavonoid, steroid, tannin and glycoside. TLC analysis revealed that S. polycystum extracts containing four phytochemical components. Ethylacetate extract of S. polycystum showed the highest total phenolic content, and exhibited greater antioxidant activity than ethanol extract. Total phenolic and total flavonoid content in ethylacetate extract are 548.61 μg/mL and 40.06 μg /mL, respectively. Ethylacetate extract of S. polycystum with IC₅₀ value of 298.3 μg/mL is assigned to have a weak antioxidant activity against DPPH free radical. The results indicate that antioxidant activity of ethylacetate extracts of S. polycystum is directly correlated with its total phenolic and flavonoid content. Moreover, S. polycystum extracts demonstrated a strong anticancer activity on cervical HeLa cells with IC₅₀ ranging from 38.3 μg/mL to 112.8 μg/mL. Conclusion: This work confirmed that S.polycystum are promising natural antioxidant and anti-cervical cancer agents.