Phytochemical characterization and evaluation of the biological activity spectrum of ethanolic fruit extract of Garcinia indica: a less explored plant of Ayurveda

Objectives: Garcinia indica (commonly known as kokum) has been employed in Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine since ancient times. Every part of the plant has its own set of advantages and applications. Therefore, the present evaluates the phytochemical composition and biological activity spectrum of the ethanolic fruit extract of G. indica.

Methods: Ethanolic extract of fruits of G. indica (GIFEE) underwent TPC and TFC quantification, with bioactive components characterized via GC-MS and HPLC. The disc diffusion method was used for assessing the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). GIFEE was employed to assess the cytotoxic impact on MDA-MB-231 cells through the utilisation of the MTT. The administered dosage of the extract ranged from 10-45 μg/mL.

Results: TPC and TFC of GIFEE were determined to be 255.09 ± 4.7 mg GAE/g and 184.83 ± 3.2 mg QE/g dry mass of the extract, respectively. Furthermore, GIFEE demonstrated antibacterial activity against S. aureus and a strong DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀=51.46 μg/mL). GIFEE induced strong anticancer activity (IC₅₀=20 μg/mL) against the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, while had no discernible impact on normal human HEK-293 cells.

Conclusions: By virtue of a high phenolic and flavonoid content and possessing potent anticancer activity profile in vitro, GIFEE appears to be a promising candidate for future and further testing in vitro and in vivo as an effective 'adjunct'/complementary medicine in cancer chemotherapy regimens.