Unlocking the Health Benefits of Browntop Millet: Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Phenolic Extracts

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress-an imbalance between Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production and the body’s defense mechanisms-plays a significant role in aging and chronic diseases, including endocrine system disorders. Antioxidants help mitigate this stress by neutralizing free radicals. Among Indian millets, Browntop Millet (BTM) is particularly rich in phytochemicals, including phenolics and dietary fibers, primarily concentrated in the bran. This study aimed to analyze the distribution of phenolic compounds in BTM and evaluate the antioxidant and anticancer activities of its extracts.Materials and Methods: BTM seeds were processed, and free and bound phenolic extracts were prepared from seed, husk, and rice using a rotary evaporator. Phytochemical constituents and total phenolic content were quantified. Antioxidant potential was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. In vitro anticancer activity was evaluated using the SRB assay on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.Results: BTM was found to be rich in phenolic compounds and exhibited strong antioxidant activity. Among the extracts, the bound phenolic-husk extract showed the highest antioxidant activity, with 63.80% DPPH radical scavenging and 361 FRAP units at 1 mg/mL. For anticancer activity, the bound phenolic-rice extract demonstrated the most potent cytotoxic effect, showing 5.046% inhibition of MDA- MB-231 cells at 10 µg/mL.Conclusion: The findings underscore BTM’s potential as a natural source of antioxidants, as demonstrated by DPPH and FRAP assays. The SRB assay confirmed its antiproliferative activity, highlighting BTM’s value in promoting health and potentially preventing disease.

Keywords: Browntop millet; Antioxidant; Anticancer