Brine Shrimp Lethality and Antioxidant Activity of the Leaf, Rind and Seed Ethanolic Extracts of Durio zibethinus L.

Introduction: Substances derived from plants have recently receiving renewed interest due to their versatile applications. Parts of Durio zibethinus L. have been used traditionally as remedy to many diseases. To date, limited reports on the cytotoxicity and antioxidative property of D. zibethinus parts are available. Objective: The study aims to determine the cytotoxic and antioxidative property of the leaf, seed and rind ethanolic extracts of D. zibethinus L. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity of the leaf, seed and rind ethanolic extracts of D. zibethinus L. were determined through Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) while antioxidative property were measured via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Radical Scavenging Activity and Reducing Power Assay. Results and Discussions: Results of the BSLA showed that the LC₅₀ value of the ethanolic leaf, rind and seed extracts are 624.00, 139.31 and 46.28 mg/L, respectively. The data indicate potential cytotoxic property of the rind and seed extracts which can be attributed to the anthraquinones, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins and terpenoids detected in the rinds and seed extracts. The effective concentration (EC₅₀) value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power for the seed and rind ethanolic extracts showed significantly higher activity compared to the leaf extract. Similarities in the trend of the DPPH inhibition and reducing power of the ethanolic extracts of the leaves, rinds and seed ethanolic extracts imply direct correlation between DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power (P<0.01). Conclusion: D. zibethinus seeds and rinds can be potential sources of natural cytotoxic and antioxidant compounds.