Title: Phytochemical Analysis and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Citrus hystrix Leaf-extracts on Colon Cancer Cells (Ht29)
Authors: Binta Mohammed Abdulrahman, Musa Ahmed Abubakar, Baba Haruna Alhaji, Nafi'u Shafi'u Abdullahi, Fatima Muhammad Madaki and Maryam Ibrahim Bello
Volume: 10
Issue: 9
Pages: 165-171
Publication Date: 2026/09/28
Abstract:
Citrus hystrix locally known as "Lemun tsami" is a culinary flavouring that is common in Northern Nigeria and South East Asian cuisine as well as in herbal preparations. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of ethanolic and aqueous leaf-extracts of C. hystrix and to screen for bioactive metabolites present in the leaves. The cytotoxic effects of the extracts on colon cancer cells (HT29) were evaluated by 3(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay and the bioactive metabolites were screened by qualitative analysis using standard procedures. The cytotoxic activities of the extracts showed IC50 values of 0.25 and 3.25 mg/ mL for ethanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively indicating stronger cytotoxic effects on HT29 cells in ethanolic extract. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds; alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid and fixed oil and fats, with ethanolic extract being more potent compared to aqueous extracts. Relatively, the results obtained in this research have shown high potential of C. hystrix leaves to be used as a good source of anticancer agent for the elimination of various disease and infections and this may be attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds present in the leaves.