Lethality Effect of Podocarpus costalis to Nauplii of Artemia salina

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Podocarpus costalis, locally known as "Igem dagat” is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpacea attracted much interest as a potential source of natural antioxidants. Phytochemical studies of a number of species have led to the isolation and elucidation of various terpenoids and nor -and dinorditerpenoid dilactones. Bioflavonoids of the amentoflavone and hinokiflavone groups are present in the great majority of Podocarpus species, and together with nor -and bis -nor diterpenes these are said to be taxonomic markers of this genus. This study aims to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid content of Podocarpus costalis leaves.

METHODS

This study was quantitative-experimental in nature. It involved the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content of Podocarpus costalis leaves and evaluated the cytotoxic effect of Podocarpus costalis leaves using nauplii of brine shrimp (Artemia salina). The following steps were employed: collection and Identification of plant parts, preparation of Podocarpus costalis extract, determination of phenolic content and total flavonoid content, Hatching of Brine Shrimp Cyst, and determination of mortality rate.

RESULTS

Podocarpus costalis leaves are rich in phenolics with average content 56.19 Âμg/g. while its leaves have flavonoids with average content of 7.57 Âμg/g. Podocarpus costalis exhibited cytotoxic activity against the brine shrimp and considered to contain active or potent components.

DISCUSSIONS

Affirmed total phenolic contents of the Podocarpus costalis leaves suggests that the Podocarpus costalis leaves may have anti-allergenic, antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-thrombotic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and vasodilatory effects. These beneficial effects have been attributed to the antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds. The leaf extracts of Podocarpus costalis exhibited cytotoxic activity against the brine shrimp and considered to contain active or potent components. This is because their LC50 values are less than 1000 ppm or Âμg/mL. intoxicity evaluation of plant extracts by BSLA, LC50 values lower than 1000 ug/ml are considered bioactive (Meyer et al., 1982). Norditerpenes and totarols from other Podocarpus species are known to have cytotoxic activities against several forms of cancer including, P388 murine leukemia cells. (Park et al., 2003, 2004).