Formulation of hot water soluble instant Venivelgeta powder; Study of physico-chemical properties and anticancer activity of the Venivelgeta hot water extract (Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr.)

Abstract

Venivelgeta (Coscinium fenestratum) is one of the most significant plants in the traditional medicine system. The boiled water extract of venivelgeta is used for the treatment of fever, pain relief, joint pain, allergies etc. The use of venivelgeta stem and powder is inconvenient due to bitterness, high bulkiness, and inaccurate measurements. This study aimed to optimize the formulation of hot water-soluble instant venivelgeta powder with sweetener by preserving medicinal properties and enhancing solubility for convenient consumption. The water extract of powdered venivelgeta was extracted with the decoction method (1.0 kg in 5.0 L of distilled water). The extract was converted by oven-drying and freeze-drying techniques. The efficiency of the freeze-drying method was higher, and it was obtained fine powder. The freeze-dried powder was subjected to physicochemical analysis and anticancer activity against MCF 7 and HCT 116 cell lines. The freeze-dried powder was used to prepare formulated hot water soluble instant venivelgeta samples, including formulation 01 (venivelgeta 0.50 g, cardamom 0.20 g, and sugar 2.0 g), formulation 02 (venivelgeta 1.0 g, cardamom 0.20 g, and sugar 2.0 g), and formulation 03 (venivelgeta 1.5 g, cardamom 0.20 g, and sugar 2.0 g). Formulation 01 was selected as the best in sensory evaluation. The physicochemical analysis of freeze-dried venivelgeta showed 6.33% w/w moisture content. The total polyphenol content was shown as 9.375 mg GAE/g. The turbidity level ranged from 163 NTU to 373 NTU in different concentrations of instant powder. The qualitative analysis of active functional groups of secondary metabolites reported as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, and carbohydrates. The cytotoxicity effect on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and the HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cell line showed a decrease in the cell viability and the high concentration of instant powder extract caused an arrest of the cell cycle of both cell lines. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the use of the freeze-drying technique was the most effective and efficient drying technique, both cell lines were sensitive to venivelgeta extract and instant powder has anti-cancer properties against both cell lines. The formulation 01 has the potential to develop as a commercial venivelgeta instant tea powder.