In Vitro Toxicity Assessment of Swietenia macrophylla King Extracts Using a Cell-Based Assay

• Published in: Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Main Author: Khoo M.G.H.; Abdullah Z.; Badron U.H.; Abdullah F.; Kasim N.; Thumser A.; Ghazali A.R.; Chan K.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 2023
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85180605956&doi=10.47836%2fmjmhs.19.5.3&partnerID=40&md5=2e9d336272a32f894de21abb290a4fea

Introduction: Swietenia macrophylla King (family Meliaceae) is a timber species with medicinal value. The seed is used as traditional medicine, however there are reports of liver injury, suspected to be associated with S. macrophylla seed consumption. The aim of this study is to assess the toxicity of S. macrophylla seed prepared in different solvent of extraction using a cell-based assay. Methods: Two methods were employed in the preparation of the seed extracts. In the first method, the dried seed was extracted with ethanol, methanol, or 50% ethanol. In the second method, the dried seed was extracted sequentially with solvents following ascending polarity. HepG2 cells were used as an in vitro liver model. The cells were treated with various concentrations of seed extracts and the cell viability was assessed by the 3, (4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: Swietenia macrophylla seed was cytotoxic towards HepG2 cells with the chloroform extract being the most cytotoxic, followed by the ethyl acetate and hexane extracts. The ethanol, methanol, and 50% ethanol extracts were also cytotoxic but to a lesser extent than the three non-polar extracts. The water extract does not negatively affect cell viability. Conclusion: The findings reveal the cytotoxic effect of S. macrophylla seed is dependent on solvent extraction. © 2023 UPM Press. All rights reserved.