Fruit extracts of Basella rubra that are rich in bioactives and betalains exhibit antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against human cervical carcinoma cells

• B. rubra fruits are a rich source of red-violet betalains pigments (0.34 g/100 g FW).
• Five phenolic and five flavonoid compounds were identified in the fruit extract.
• Betalains rich fruit extract exhibited substantial free radical scavenging activity.
• B. rubra fruit extract showed strong (81%) anticancer activity against SiHa cells.

Fruit extracts of Basella rubra, which are rich in bioactive phenolics, flavonoids and betalains were investigated for their antioxidant and anticancer activities against human cervical carcinoma (SiHa) cells. The fruits contained total betalain contents of 0.34 g/100 g fresh weight and 1.9 g/100 g dry weight. Betanin, isobetanin and gomphrenin I were the major pigments identified. Phenolic compounds, such as generic acid, sinapic acid, ferulic acid, coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid, and flavonoids, such as myricetin, quercetin, luteolin, apigenin and kaempferol, were identified. Both water and aqueous methanol extracts of fruits showed significant free radical scavenging potential and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Fruit extracts at 50 mg/mL showed strong (81%) cytotoxic activity against human cervical carcinoma cells. Thus, fruit extracts have potential application for cancer treatments and as nutraceutical or dietary supplements.