FARMACIA, 2016, Vol. 64, 4 ORIGINAL ARTICLE ANTIOXIDANT AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF PHYLLOPHORA PSEUDOCERANOIDES (GMELIN) NEW. ET TAYL ADRIANA TRIFAN1*, DACIANA SAVA2, LAURA ADRIANA BUCUR3, COSMIN TEODOR MIHAI4, ANA CLARA APROTOSOAIE1, OANA CIOANCĂ1, MONICA HĂNCIANU1, ANCA MIRON1 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115, Iasi, Romania 2Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, “Ovidius” University Constanta, 1 Universitatii Street, Campus, Building B, 900470, Constanta, Romania 3Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Ovidius” University Constanta, 1 Universitatii Street, Campus, Building B, 900470, Constanta, Romania 4Interdisciplinary Research Department-Field Science, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Bd., 700506 Iasi, Romania *corresponding author:
[email protected] Manuscript received: March 2016 Abstract The aim of the present study was to characterize and assess the in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of various solvent extracts from red alga Phyllophora pseudoceranoides. Bioactive compounds were extracted using solvents of different polarities. Total phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid contents were also determined. Algal extracts displayed moderate 2,2- diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) scavenging activity, with values ranging from 12.99 ± 0.23 to 46.00 ± 0.13 % at a concentration of 1.99 mg/mL; all extracts showed good scavenging activity against 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation, with EC50 values ranging from 0.12 ± 0.02 to 0.49 ± 0.02 mg/mL. All investigated extracts exhibited strong cytotoxic activities against HeLa cells. The antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of P. pseudoceranoides extracts suggest their possible use in the development of nutraceuticals and functional foods.