Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Activity, and Toxicity of Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract Using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22487/6s03ac45Keywords:
Imperata cylindrica, Antioxidant, DPPH, BSLT, PhytochemicalsAbstract
Background: Oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, increasing interest in plant derived antioxidants. Imperata cylindrica root is traditionally used, but its antioxidant potential and preliminary toxicity require evaluation. Objective: To characterize the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, and preliminary toxicity of methanolic I. cylindrica root extract. Methods: Dried roots were extracted by maceration and percolation. Qualitative phytochemical screening was performed. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH assay at 100–900 mcg/mL, while toxicity was assessed using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) with Artemia salina at 100–1000 mcg/mL for 24 hours. IC50 and LC50 values were estimated by linear regression. Results: Twelve groups of secondary metabolites were detected. DPPH inhibition increased from 30.957% to 72.912%, with an IC50 of 437.632 mcg/mL, indicating weak antioxidant activity. BSLT mortality increased from 13.462% to 98.684%, with an LC50 of 290.084 mcg/mL, indicating preliminary toxicity. Conclusion: I. cylindrica root extract demonstrated weak DPPH radical-scavenging activity and BSLT lethality. These findings do not establish mammalian or human toxicity and require confirmation through cell-based and in vivo toxicological studies.
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