Chiang Mai Journal of Science

Chinese water chestnut (CWC, Eleocharis dulcis (Burm.f.) Trin. ex Hensch.) is widely consumed in China and is valued for its medicinal properties. This study investigates different CWC extracts for their antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. The yield following methanol extraction (51.28%) was significantly higher than that of other solvents. Additionally, the methanol extract demonstrated a high total phenolic value of 306.34 ± 6.89 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and high 2,2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 11.73±0.96 μg/ml. The methanol extract remarkably suppressed proliferation of human cervical, lung, and colon cancer cell lines. Further investigation into the mechanism showed that the methanol extract inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. Bioassay-monitored fractionation of the methanol extract resulted in the isolation of three flavonoid compounds: quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin. Quercetin possessed the strongest antiproliferative activity on colon cancer cells, suggesting that CWC is a potential source of natural antioxidants and a potential cancer treatment.