Hydro‐ethanol seed extract of Theobroma cacao exhibits antioxidant activities and potential anticancer property
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Date
2018
Authors
Ebuehi, O.A.T.
Anams, Chinonye
Gbenle, Oluwaseun D.
Ajagun-Ogunleye, Mulkah Olufemi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley Periodicals
Abstract
Despite the nutritional value of Theobroma cacao seed (cocoa), the antiproliferative
activity is yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the current study investigated the
antioxidant and potential anticancer activities of the seed extract. The in‐vitro free
radical scavenging activity was evaluated via DPPH, nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation,
and reducing power activity. The effect of the cocoa extract on mitotic cell division
was determined using Allium cepa assay. The phytochemical screening of the seed
extract revealed the presence of cardiac glycoside, phenol, tannin, steroid, terpinoid,
alkaloid, saponin, and flavonoid at the following concentrations; 31.21 ± 0.57,
29.16 ± 0.43, 18.51 ± 0.06, 9.57 ± 0.08, 23.77 ± 0.08, 6.58 ± 0.04, 28.65 ± 0.13, and
22.16 ± 0.18 mg/100 g, respectively. The A. cepa assay revealed a significant influence
of the extract on mitotic cell division in a concentration dependent manner, the
antiproliferative effect suggests a potential anticancer property.
Practical applications
The Cocoa plant has been of great nutritional benefit over the years. The seeds
(Theobroma cacao) is used for making varieties of chocolate food beverages, chocolate
candies, confectioneries, and food thickening, however, the anticancer activity is
still an area of deliberation. Theobroma cacao seed extract scavenged diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl
radical, nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation at 50.03 ± 1.48% at a concentration
of 60 μg/ml, 50.84 ± 0.88% at 40 μg/ml, and 50.79 ± 0.37% at 40 μg/ml,
respectively. The reducing power activity was 0.329 ± 0.001 per 100 μg/ml. The Gas
Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy analysis showed the most abundant compound
to be caffeine (98.09%). Mild quantities of hexa‐decanoic acid, methyl extract were
also detected. The hydro‐alcohol extract of Theobroma cacao seeds exhibited high
antioxidant and antimitotic activities, suggesting a possible cytotoxic potential
against abnormal cell growth, such as cancer. This study substantiates its ethno‐medicinal
use in the prevention and control of cancer.
Description
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES::Chemistry::Biochemistry , Allium cepa assay , anticancer , antimitotic , antioxidant , GCMS , Theobroma cacao seed
Citation
Ebuehi, Osaretin & Anams, Chinonye & Gbenle, Oluwaseun & Ajagun-Ogunleye, Mulkah. (2019). Hydro‐ethanol seed extract of Theobroma cacao exhibits antioxidant activities and potential anticancer property. Journal of Food Biochemistry. 43. e12767. 10.1111/jfbc.12767.