Lepisorus thunbergianus (Kaulf.) Ching has been used in folk medicine in Korea. In this study, a L. thunbergianus methanol extract and its fractions were investigated for their antioxidant properties. The results showed that the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of L. thunbergianus possess potent DPPH radical scavenging activities. Both fractions also possessed reducing power and inhibited reactive oxygen species formation. In addition, the cytotoxic activity of the L. thunbergianus n-hexane fraction (HF) was investigated. The results suggested that the HF remarkably suppressed proliferation of human breast, liver and colon cancer cells. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that L. thunbergianus extract induces apoptosis in SW620 cells, suggesting that L. thunbergianus may have potential as a therapeutic agent for colon cancer.

• Jinfeng Yang(Bioherb Research Institute, Kangwon National University)
• Yong Soo Kwon(Department of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University) | 권용수
• Jung Dae Lim(Department of Herbal Medicine Resource, Kangwon National University) | 임정대
• Chang Yeon Yu(Department of Applied plant sciences, Kangwon National University) | 유창연
• Myong Jo Kim(Department of Applied plant sciences, Kangwon National University) | 김명조 Corresponding author