Isolation of hesperetin - A flavonoid from Cordia sebestena flower extract through antioxidant assay guided method and its antibacterial, anticancer effect on cervical cancer via in vitro and in silico molecular docking studies

Since ancient time, plants serve as a treasure of effective drugs for cancer therapy. In the present study, phytoconstituents and antioxidant activity of Cordia sebestena (C. sebestena) flower in various solvent extracts (hexane, chloroform, acetone, methanol, water) were explored for its biological importance. The total content of phytoconstituents such as phenolic, flavonoid, tannin and nutrient content like carbohydrate, protein are notably observed in acetone extract. Acetone extract has revealed the potent antioxidant property against various free radicals and has good reducing power activity. The biological efficiency of extracts was also evaluated by antibacterial activity against selected human pathogens. The antioxidant effective acetone extract exhibits significant cytotoxic effect on cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). The bioactive compound-hesperetin a flavonoid was isolated from the acetone extract and structure was elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques. Isolated hesperetin compound revealed significantly cytotoxicity for HeLa cell line and its anticancer ability was revalidated by in silico molecular docking study, which exhibited strong interaction with E6 protein of HPV16 cervical carcinoma with significant binding energy. [Display omitted] •The quality and quantity of bioactive molecules from Cordia Sebestina flower were evaluated.•Antioxidant effective molecule of hesperetin was isolated.•Biological effect of the molecule was scrutinized by antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer studies.•Anticancer efficiency of hesperetin was assessed for cervical cancer through in vitro and in silico studies.