Research Article
Toxicity, anti-inflammatory, and phytochemical properties of Christella parasitica (L.) H.Lev. ex Y.H.Chang in Bukidnon, Philippines
Authors:
Glenda Z. Doblas1,2
, Ivy Lou R. Catane1, Victor B. Amoroso2, Aileen May G. Ang3, Heidi C. Porquis2, Diana Rose Y. Jacalan1, Ellen Joy P. Pandan3, and Reggie Y. Dela Cruz1,2
1Tuklas Lunas Development Center, Central Mindanao University, 8710 Bukidnon
2Institute of Biological Sciences, Central Mindanao University, 8710 Bukidnon
3Department of Chemistry, Central Mindanao University, 8710 Bukidnon
ABSTRACT
Christella parasitica (L.) H.Lev. ex Y.H.Chang is a terrestrial fern traditionally used to treat gout and rheumatism, conditions caused by intense inflammation. Since inflammation is linked to many health problems in humans, investigation on the toxicity and anti-inflammatory potential of C. parasitica is of current relevance for drug discovery potential. Crude methanolic extracts of C. parasitica fronds and rhizomes were tested for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) inhibition and toxicity tests against neonatal human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKn) and lung adenocarcinoma (A549). Plant habit, morphological characteristics, and the ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) region confirmed the plant’s identity. Alkaloids and tannins were present only in the fronds, and anthraquinones only in the rhizome while phenolics, saponins, and terpenoids were found in both fronds and rhizomes. Total phenolic content was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the rhizomes compared to fronds. Flavonoids are present in both fronds and rhizomes. Fronds and rhizomes exhibited antioxidant activity based on DPPH radical-scavenging activity relative to ascorbic acid. They also exhibited high anti-inflammatory activity based on the inhibition of COX2. Both frond and rhizome extracts were nontoxic to HEKn and LA A549. These findings indicate that C. parasitica is nontoxic and has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, which make it a promising natural source of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Keywords: anti-oxidants, cyclooxygenase, drug discovery, medicinal ferns, rbcL
Available Online: 01 October 2024
How to Cite:
Doblas GZ, Catane ILR, Amoroso VB, Ang AMG, Porquis HC, Jacalan DRY, Pandan EJP and Dela Cruz RY. 2025. Toxicity, anti-inflammatory, and phytochemical properties of Christella parasitica (L.) H.Lev. ex Y.H.Chang in Bukidnon, Philippines. The Palawan Scientist, 17(1): 51-60. https://doi.org/10.69721/TPS.J.2025.17.1.07
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License