Anti-insecticides activity in cell-lines model of Thunbergia laurifolia leaf extract aiming for functional drink

Thunbergia laurifolia has been used for folklore medicine and consumed as an herbal tea in Thailand ancient times. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of aqueous crude extracts of T. laurifolia leaves on endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and anti-insecticides property using three types of cells. Murine macrophage (RAW264.7), human embryonic kidney (HEK293), and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells, were treated with crude extract either combined, pre, and post-treatment exposure to chlorpyrifos (CP) and methomyl (MT). Cell viability was determined using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test to find out anti-insecticide properties. Results indicated that crude extract increased catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities while decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in HEK293 and HepG2 cells and improved cells viability in all cell types induced by CP and MT toxins. The crude extract provided a protection and recovery effect on CP and MT insecticides better than atropine sulfate (AS) standard drug especially in HepG2 and HEK293 cells. Therefore, it was concluded that crude extract can improve antioxidant enzymes level and can be used as anti-insecticides. However, more investigation is needed to play it safe for functional drinks by processing in animal model further.