Phytochemical Characterization and Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Cressa cretica L. | ||
| Mansoura Journal of Biology | ||
| Volume 72, Issue 4, December 2025, Pages 1-9 PDF (1.16 M) | ||
| Document Type: Short Communication | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mjb.2025.434892.1015 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Yasser El-Amier* 1; Hoda Soluman2; Eman Elashker2 | ||
| 1Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt | ||
| 2Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura - 35516, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Halophytic Cressa cretica L. (Convolvulaceae) is long recognized for possessing medicinal activity in arid and saline environments, but comprehensive examination of its phytochemical content and bioactivity is not reported. The primary objectives of this investigation was to identify the secondary metabolites of C. cretica and assess its antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Qualitative phytochemical examining of the methanolic extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, glycosides, terpenes, tannins, saponins, and steroids, and phenolics and flavonoid constituents were abundant. The extract showed that it could scavenge DPPH free radicals in a concentration-dependent way, with 63.8 ± 1.79% inhibition at 500 mg/mL and an IC₅₀ value of 40.51 mg/mL, showing moderate antioxidant activity relative to vitamin C (IC₅₀ = 7.15 mg/mL). Cytotoxicity in the MTT assay expressed selective, dose-dependent inhibition of human hepatocellular (HepG-2) and colorectal (HCT-116) carcinoma cell growth with IC₅₀ values of 43.37 µg/mL and 31.65 µg/mL, correspondingly, without expressing much cytotoxicity to normal WI-38 cells (IC₅₀ > 100 µg/mL). These biological activities are attributed mainly to the plant's abundant content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The findings highlight Cressa cretica as a valuable source of anticancer and antioxidant metabolites with potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry implications, warranting its traditional medicinal application. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Cressa cretica; halophyte; phytochemical screening; cytotoxicity; DPPH assay | ||
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