Phytochemistry, Cytoprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Myrmecodia platytyrea Ethyl Acetate Extract on Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 Cells

Abstract

Inflammation is a hallmark pathology for many diseases, including cancer, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and neurodegeneration. Myrmecodia platytyrea(Rubiaceae), an epiphytic plant native to Southeast Asia, Australasia, and Papua Island, has been investigated for its ethnomedicinal applications. However, the potential effects of ethyl acetate extract from M. platytyrea against inflammation are yet to be widely studied. This present study sought to evaluate the phytochemical components of M. platytyrea ethyl acetate extract and investigate its cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects on RAW 264.7 cells. Phytochemical screening was performed based on standard qualitative tests, while the IC₅₀ value of the extract in RAW 264.7 cells was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Subsequently, RAW 264.7 cells were pretreated with various extract concentrations (2, 4, and 8 µg/mL) and induced with 1 µg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h. The effect of the extract on cell viability and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured using MTT and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Phytochemical screening identified the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phytosterols in the extract. The extract displayed moderate cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 61.53 ± 1.26 μg/mL. It protected RAW 264.7 cells against LPS-induced cell growth inhibition and significantly reduced TNF-α levels dose-dependently. As a result, this study demonstrated the potential of M. platytyrea as a natural source for developing a therapeutic agent for inflammation-related diseases.