Keywords
Danio rerio
alkaloids
phenolics
antioxidant
anthelmintic
Abstract
This study characterized the phytochemical composition, evaluated the antioxidant capacity, and assessed the teratogenic effects of crude betel nut (Areca catechu L.) extract. The bioactive constituents were extracted using 95% ethanol. Preliminary phytochemical screening identified the presence of alkaloids. Folin-Ciocalteu assay quantified the phenolic content at 617 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram of dried extract, reflecting substantial phenolics such as flavonoids, steroids, and tannins known for anthelmintic properties. The extract exhibited strong free radical scavenging against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, with an EC₅₀ value of 1.104 ± 0.312 ppm, comparable to ascorbic acid (1.239 ± 0.086 ppm). Zebrafish embryo assays revealed 1.0 g/kg body weight as the safest exposure concentration after 48 hours, whereas higher doses (1.5 and 2.0 g/kg BW) induced toxicity and teratogenicity, likely attributable to alkaloid constituents. This study uniquely integrates phytochemical, antioxidant, and zebrafish embryo toxicity analyses to identify A. catechu as a potential natural anthelmintic and antioxidant source for small ruminants, while establishing 1.0 g/kg BW as a safe therapeutic dose for further drug development.
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