Comparative studies on selection of high polyphenolic containing Chinese raspberry for evaluation of antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials

The Chinese raspberry (Rubus chingii Hu) fruit is well-recognized for its special pharmacological qualities. We examined the polyphenolic constituents in twelve Chinese raspberries (B1–B12), out of which B1 raspberry showed high content of phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins in total, compared to other raspberry samples we collected. Further, B1 raspberry sample explored for its antioxidant and cytotoxic effects. The results showed that the total polyphenolic content in the ethanol extract (11.47 mg/g) was greater than in the water extract (WE) (7.78 mg/g); the polysaccharide content in the EE (587.78 mg/g) was also found to exceed that of the WE (476.24 mg/g) revealing the presence of 18.91 mg/g anthocyanin in total. Of interest, in terms of the total flavonoid content, no significant results were noted. Further, potential antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging was seen in the B1 extracts giving EC50 values of 1.37 and 0.94 mg/mL (EtOH extract) and 2.55 and 1.93 mg/mL (aqueous extract), respectively. From the cytotoxic study employing several types of cancer cell lines, a significant inhibition effect was seen by the B1 EE on the SKOV3 and MCF-7 cancer cell proliferation; however, no cytotoxic effects were noted on the A549 and Hela cells. Therefore, the findings of the current study imply that the R. chingii (B1) has the potential to be utilized as a therapeutic agent, in light of its antioxidant and cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines. Even so, further research is required to confirm the effective isolation of the bioactive compound.