Abstract

Twenty-three samples of mangrove plants were refluxed with methanol, then their activities were evaluated. Surprisingly, sample 6 (%SC50 = 5.00 ± 0.08 μg/mL) had the best antioxidation activity among candidates and L-ascorbic acid. Sample 19 was the second, with %SC50 = 5.15 ± 0.15 μg/mL. Both presented the availability of flavonoids and tannins, which was confirmed by phytochemical screening. The antimicrobial assay was done parallelly with the DPPH-free radical scavenging assay. Sample 19 exhibited the highest bacteriostatic activities against S. aureus, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa (MIC = 62.50 μg/mL), and E. faecalis (MIC = 500 μg/mL) due to the presence of terpenes. In the MTT assay, it was found that sample 19 displayed specific toxicity against KB (%IC50 = 18.51 ± 5.49 μg/mL) and HeLa (%IC50 = 160.68 ± 39.36 μg/mL). Samples 2, 4, and 20 also demonstrated selective toxicity against cancer cells. This is the first report of sample 19, which is the most effective and potent cytotoxic agent against KB, and sample 4, which is the specific and most potent cytotoxic agent against HeLa. This is the first time mangrove plants have been evaluated for their potential to be alternative natural sources of medicine.