Abstract—Deaths from cancer worldwide are estimated to continue rising. Free radicals are toxic to cellular components. It is known that they cause DNA damage, contribute to DNA instability and mutation, thus favor carcinogenesis. This research was conducted to determine the activity of Cucumis melo extract and β-carotene in antioxidative and cytotoxic potencies. The research was done by examining the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity assay. The cytotoxic potency was determined by the MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay on HeLa, HepG2 and NIH3T3 cell lines. β-carotene exhibited more active DPPH free radical scavenging activity compared with C. melo extract. C. melo extract showed more active anti-cancer both in HeLa (IC50: 23.649 μg/mL) and HepG2 (IC50: 110.403 μg/mL) cancer cells. C. melo extract (IC50: 16,670.404 μg/mL) and β-carotene (IC50: 50,645.994 μg/mL) had low cytotoxicity in NIH3T3 fibroblast. C. melo extract has lower antioxidant activity, but higher cytotoxic potency compared with β-carotene.
 

Index Terms—antioxidant, free radical, melon, cucumis melo, β-carotene, cancer, cytotoxic

Cite: Wahyu Widowati, Rachma Micho Widyanto, Dian Ratih Laksmitawati, Pande Putu Erawijantari, Laura Wijaya, and Ferry Sandra, "Phytochemical, Free Radical Scavenging and Cytotoxic Assay of Cucumis Melo L. Extract and β-Carotene," Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 114-119, December 2015. Doi: 10.12720/joaat.2.2.114-119