Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activity, and Anticancer Potential of Maja (Aegle marmelos) Leaf Extracts Against SKOV3 Ovarian Cancer Cells

Aegle marmelos is a medicinal plant traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer treatments. The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxic potential of A. marmelos leaf extracts and their fractions against SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. The ethanol extract of A. marmelos leaves was obtained by maceration, followed by solvent fractionation using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water. Phytochemical screening was performed to identify secondary metabolites, and total phenolic content (TPC) was determined spectrophotometrically. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, while cytotoxic effects were evaluated through the MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle disturbances were further analyzed using May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining and flow cytometry. The phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins/phenols, and triterpenoids, with a total phenolic content of 61.35 mg GAE/g extract. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 4.57 ppm) and the strongest cytotoxicity against SKOV3 cells (IC₅₀ = 261.7 ppm). Apoptosis induction was indicated by an increased sub-G1 population, decreased G0/G1, S, and G2/M phase distributions, and morphological features consistent with mitotic catastrophe and late-stage apoptosis. The findings of this study highlight the therapeutic potential of A. marmelos leaf extract, particularly the ethyl acetate fraction, as a promising natural anticancer agent. These results lay the groundwork for further molecular and in vivo investigations to explore its efficacy in ovarian cancer therapy.