Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant capacity, and preliminary cytotoxicity of Diospyros dasyphylla Kurz leaf extract

Abstract

Context: Natural products remain valuable sources of bioactive compounds. Diospyros dasyphylla Kurz is poorly characterized with respect to its phytochemical composition and biological activities. Aims: To evaluate the antioxidant activity, preliminary MTT-based cytotoxicity, phytochemical profile, and predicted molecular interactions of D. dasyphylla leaf extract. Methods: Leaves were extracted with 95% ethanol. Phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents were determined colorimetrically. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Preliminary cytotoxicity was assessed in MCF-7, HCT-116, and CCD-841 cells using the MTT assay. Major constituents were tentatively identified by GC–MS. Drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic properties, and docking interactions with CASP3, AKT-1, and BCL-2 were predicted in silico. Results: The extract exhibited DPPH and ABTS IC50 values of 171.36 ± 1.53 and 140.52 ± 0.32 µg/mL, respectively, and a FRAP value of 49.51 ± 1.71 mmol Fe²⁺ equivalents/100 g extract. MTT-based cytotoxic activity was observed against MCF-7 and HCT-116 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 39.70 ± 1.50 and 25.70 ± 1.50 µg/mL, respectively. Limited selectivity was observed relative to CCD-841 cells. GC–MS tentatively identified ten major constituents, with uvaol tentatively identified as the predominant compound. Docking predicted favorable interactions of triterpenoids with AKT-1 and BCL-2. Conclusions: D. dasyphylla leaf extract contained triterpenoid-rich constituents and showed measurable antioxidant activity and preliminary MTT-based cytotoxic activity. This appears to be the first comprehensive report describing the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, preliminary MTT-based cytotoxicity, and molecular docking profile of this species. Complementary cell-death and pathway-validation assays are required.