Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity of Alpinia purpurata

AIM: Ethylacetate extract of Alpinia purpurata was evaluated for its potential in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity. METHODS: The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method, hydroxyl radical activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity and reducing power activity. The viability of OAW42 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. RESULTS: A. purpurata exhibited potential antioxidant activity with a concentration-dependent manner. The extract showed potential anticancer activity at the 48th hour with IC50 of 130.20 mu g.mL(-1) and exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in cell count for all the concentrations tested. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that long term consumption of A. purpurata exhibited antioxidant and anticancer activity and could be further exploited for their anticancer properties.