Exploring phytochemical profile, antioxidant and anticancer activities of underexploited edible wild plant Bauhinia saccocalyx Pierre leaf extract native to Thailand

Despite the traditional use of Bauhinia saccocalyx Pierre in Thai cuisine and folk medicine, scientific studies on its phytochemical composition and pharmacological potential remain limited, especially for its leaves. This study investigated the phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and anticancer potential of B. saccocalyx leaf extract, an underexploited edible wild plant native to Thailand. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and FRAP assays, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified spectrophotometrically. Cytotoxicity against HeLa and MCF-7 cells was assessed via MTT and clonogenic assays. Additional analyses included cell migration, gene expression, and metabolite profiling using GC-MS and LC-MS/MS. The results showed that ethanol extracts displayed highest antioxidant activity (DPPH 39.99 mg TE/g DW; FRAP 10.90 mg Fe(II)/g DW) and phenolic (17.59 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid contents (108.60 mg RE/g DW), exceeding those of non-polar and aqueous extracts. However, the leaf ethyl acetate extract showed the most potent cytotoxicity against HeLa (76.75 ± 1.79 %) and MCF-7 (59.39 ± 2.27 %) (IC50 of 65.21 and 67.83 μg/mL, respectively). Clonogenic and wound healing assays further confirmed its antiproliferative and antimigratory effects, reducing colony formation (IC50 of 23.64 μg/mL). It significantly induced apoptosis-related gene expression (Bax ↑, Caspase-3 ↑, Bcl-2 ↓), arrested the cell cycle via p21 upregulation and Cyclin D1 downregulation, and suppressed metastasis-associated genes (MMP-9 and NF-κB p65). GC-MS and LC-MS/MS analyses revealed key metabolites such as neophytadiene, lipids, polyphenols, and flavonoid glycosides. The presence of bioactive compounds in the leaves underscores its potential not only as natural cancer therapeutic agents, but also as functional food ingredients.