Abstract

• The aim of the study was to screen bioactive compounds apigenin and luteolin from the ethyl acetate extract of Bacopa monnieri (L.), Byone-hmwe, for some biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antiproliferative activities. The antioxidant activity of apigenin and luteolin compounds was determined by the DPPH assay. These assays found that luteolin (IC50 = 1.86 µg/mL) was more potent than apigenin (IC50 = 2.36 µg/mL) in antioxidant activity. The luteolin was found to have more potent antimicrobial activity than apigenin against all eight tested microorganisms with inhibition zone diameters (18-25 mm) determined by the agar well diffusion method. The cytotoxicity was examined by brine shrimp lethality bioassay. LC50 values of apigenin and luteolin were found to be 296 µg/mL and 200 µg/mL. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of apigenin and luteolin was most potent against human cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 9.14 µg/mL (MCF-7) and < 6.25 µg/mL Hela (cervical), but no significant activity IC50 values > 100 µg/mL(A549) as determined by MTT assay. Both compounds share a similar flavone structure but differ in their hydroxyl substitution patterns, which significantly influence their biological activities.