Antioxidant and anticancer activities of Annona muricata L. and Antidesma bunius L. leaves, and molecular networking analysis using LC-MS/MS metabolomics

Several natural products are known to have anticancer activity, which helps prevent cancer. This study explores the potential use of different extracts of Annona muricata L. and Antidesma bunius L. leaves as an anticancer drug by testing its anti-oxidative and anticancer properties. Furthermore, metabolomics of these plant extracts was performed to characterize them. This project studied the bioactivities and phytochemistry of plants found in Mt. Makiling, Philippines. Hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol leaf extracts of Annona muricata L. (Guyabano) and Antidesma bunius L. (Bignay) were screened for their anticancer and antioxidant properties. Extracts of each plant species were subjected to a clean-up procedure (removal of tannins and chlorophyll) and were analyzed using the same tests as the crude. The growth inhibitory effect against A-549 human lung carcinoma cells was determined using MTT assay, while the total antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH assay. All extracts exhibited both anticancer and antioxidant activity of varying degrees. Ethyl acetate crude extract of Annona muricata L. showed the highest percent growth inhibition against lung cancer cells, while methanol crude extract of Antidesma bunius L. showed the highest total antioxidant activity. The effect of the clean-up procedure varied per extract; some exhibited an enhanced activity while others exhibited a decreased activity upon clean-up. The extracts’ responses to free radicals and lung cancer cells can be attributed to phytochemicals like alkaloids, indoles, and phenols identified using qualitative phytochemical tests and LC-MS/MS analysis. Results suggest that Annona muricata L. and Antidesma bunius L. leaf extracts are potential anticancer and antioxidant agents.