Exploration the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of saponins from <i>Lepisanthes amoena</i> and <i>Fordia splendidissima</i> (Blume ex Miq.) Buijsen

Abstract

Saponins are secondary metabolites primarily derived from plants, which have gained widespread applications in the pharmaceutical sector due to their medicinal, biological, and pharmacological properties. In the woodlands of East Kalimantan in Melak, the presence of the plants selekop (Lepisanthes amoena) and keranyi (Fordia splendidissima (Blume ex Miq.) Buijsen) have been extensively reported, with both possessing high saponins content. This study aimed to investigate and compare the bioactivity, saponins content, and molecular characteristics of L. amoena and F. splendidissima from East Kalimantan’s woodlands in Melak. The collected plant samples (stem bark and leaf) were oven-dried, powdered, extracted, and fractionated. The fractions were subjected to antioxidant and cytotoxicity screening using established methods. Results of the screening showed that L. amoena and F. splendidissima possess significant antioxidant activities against DPPH and are lethal to the brine shrimp nauplii. In addition, the LC-MS findings showed the molecular weight of saponins identified in the active fractions of both plants.