Anticancer activity and HPLC analysis of bioactive compounds in Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb. ex G.Don oleo-resin and its biodiesel byproducts

Context: Dipterocarpus alatus oleo-resin has been used as a folk medicine and energy source. During biodiesel production, massive amounts of waste are generated. To explore the reuse of biodiesel waste, this research investigates the health-promoting activities of biodiesel waste. Aims: To compare biological activity, anticancer and antioxidant activities, and phytochemical contents of D. alatus oleo-resin (OR) and its byproducts from the degumming (DG) and distillation (DT) processes employed during biodiesel production. Methods: All samples were evaluated for the cytotoxicity activity against SK-MEL-2, HCT 116, SiHa, SK-LU-1, U937 cancer cells, and the Vero cell line. Antioxidant activity was tested using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The selected bioactive compounds, betulonic acid (1), dipterocarpol (2), and α-gurjunene (3) were quantified by HPLC analysis. Results: The result showed that DT and DG have a potent cytotoxicity higher than OR in HCT 116, SK-LU-1, and SK-MEL-2, particularly in U937, which corresponded to the number of terpene components, especially DG and DT showed high dipterocarpol (2) content. Among all samples, OR showed a good source for α-gurjunene and total phenolic contain (TPC), which showed good cytotoxicity against SiHa cancer cells. Conclusions: The biodiesel waste product from the distillation and degumming process of D. alatus elevates the dipterocalpol concentration, contributing to its anticancer activity. As a result, this waste material shows promise as a potential source for new anticancer drug development.