Tannins from Leucaena leucocephala hybrid-Rendang, the miracle tree, has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic potential

Researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia assessed the biological activities and health-promoting qualities of condensed tannins extracted from Leucaena leucocephala hybrid-Rendang, known as the Miracle tree in Malaysia, in a study published in Food Science and Human Wellness.

• Condensed tannins were extracted and purified from young L. leucocephala hybrid-Rendang leaves.
• Radical scavenging capabilities were tested against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS); the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay as well.
• Antimicrobial activity was analyzed via the disk diffusion method; the study authors utilized numerous disease-causing bacterial strains, yeasts, and fungi.
• The researchers made use of the MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) to evaluate the cytotoxic actions of the condensed tannins against various cancer cell lines common in Malaysia.
• The condensed tannins demonstrated the greatest antioxidant activity in the FRAP assay.
• The highest zone of inhibition was against Staphylococcus epidermidis.
• The most significant cytotoxic activity was toward human breast adenocarcinoma, the cells of which showed signs exhibitive of apoptosis.

Based on their preliminary investigations, the researchers concluded that the condensed tannins of L. leucocephala hybrid-Rendang could contribute to the development of new pharmaceuticals, and serve as highly effective cytotoxic and antimicrobial agents.

Find the full text of the study at this link.

Journal reference:

Zarin MA, Wan HY, Isha A, Armania N. ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIMICROBIAL AND CYTOTOXIC POTENTIAL OF CONDENSED TANNINS FROM LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA HYBRID-RENDANG. Food Science and Human Wellness. 2016 June; 5(2): 65-75. DOI: 10.1016/j.fshw.2016.02.001