Bioactive Damnacanthal from Morinda citrifolia: Isolation, Purification, and Cytotoxic Assessment

Abstract

This study reports the extraction, characterization, and in vitro cytotoxic evaluation of damnacanthal, a bioactive anthraquinone, from the fruit of Morinda citrifolia (Noni). Soxhlet extraction with ethanol followed by column chromatography yielded purified fractions, whose identity was confirmed by thin-layer and paper chromatography against standard values. Spectroscopic analyses further substantiated structural features: UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed characteristic transition peaks consistent with extended conjugation within the anthraquinone core, while IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of key functional groups. Cytotoxicity was assessed against Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) cells, where damnacanthal exhibited a strong dose-dependent response. Cell death ranged from 20.9% at 20 µg/mL to 98.2% at 200 µg/mL, with an estimated IC₅₀ of 50–75 µg/mL. These findings highlight the potent cytotoxic activity of damnacanthal at relatively low concentrations and suggest its promise as a lead candidate for anticancer drug development, particularly against lymphoma. Further mechanistic and translational studies are warranted to establish its therapeutic potential.