COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION INTO THE PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF ARTOCARPUS HETEROPHYLLUS (JACKFRUIT) SEED COAT [TESTA]

Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jack fruit) and its seeds are nutritionally rich packed with proteins, carbohydrates, micronutrients, iron, dietary fibre, vitamin, resistant starch, and antioxidants. They lower the risk of heart diseases, controls blood sugar, promotes weight loss, help in managing stress levels, skin diseases, good eyesight, strengthens immunity of the body, and maintains gut health. The seed coat of jackfruit comprises a thin, waxy, parchment-like testa (husk) and a brown, membranous tegmen. Typically, the white outer membrane of jackfruit seeds is removed and discarded before consumption. In this study, we aimed to assess the nutritional and pharmacological properties of this unexplored slimy, white outer membrane. The methanolic extract of the seed coat membrane [Testa] was obtained using Soxhlet extraction and used for the analysis. Phytochemical analysis of the test sample revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, phenols, xanthoprotein, proteins, and phytosterols, with measurable amounts of phenols and proteins. The extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 232 µg/ml, using the DPPH method, and demonstrated cytotoxic properties. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of several compounds with anticancer and antioxidant properties. The results imply that the extract has the potential to serve as an excellent source for antioxidant and anticancer drug in pharmaceutical medicines.