Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, and Cytotoxicity of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Chlorophytum Comosum (Green Type) (Thunb.) Jacq

Abstract

<i>Chlorophytum</i> genus has been extensively studied due to its diverse biological activities. We evaluated the methanolic extract of leaves of <i>Chlorophytum comosum</i> (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques, the species that is less studied compared to <i>C. borivilianum</i>. The aim was to identify phytoconstituents of the methanolic extract of leaves of <i>C. comosum</i> and biological properties of its different fractions. Water fraction was analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Nineteen compounds belonging to different chemical classes were identified in the methanolic extract of leaves of <i>C. comosum</i> (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques. In addition to several fatty acids, isoprenoid and steroid compounds were found among the most abundant constituents. One of the identified compounds, 4'-methylphenyl-1C-sulfonyl-β-d-galactoside, was not detected earlier in <i>Chlorophytum</i> extracts. The water fraction was toxic to HeLa cells but not to Vero cells. Our data demonstrate that methanolic extract of leaves of <i>C. comosum</i> can be a valuable source of bioactive constituents. The water fraction of the extract exhibited promising antitumor potential based on a high ratio of HeLa vs. Vero cytotoxicity.