Dextran–Hesperetin Conjugate as a Novel Biocompatible Medicine for Antimicrobial and Anticancer Applications

Hesperidin (HD), a bioflavanone glycoside, was isolated from orange peel and converted to hesperetin (HT) using a simple and efficient green procedure. Then dextran-hesperetin conjugate (Dex-HT) was prepared by free radical grafting reaction and the functionalization degree of it was assessed by the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The antioxidant activity of HD, HT and Dex-HT was tested by DPPH⋅ radical method. Presence of dextran as a backbone in the Dex-HT structure, improved antioxidant activities of the hesperetin. In addition, antimicrobial effect of these compounds was evaluated against some food pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium). According to the results, L. monocytogenes was more sensitive to these compounds than S. typhimurium. Also, Dex-HT was more bacteriostatic than HD and HT. In addition, cytotoxic effect of Dex-HT against MCF-7(human breast adenocarcinoma), AGS (gastric adenocarcinoma) and normal fibroblast cells was determined in 48 and 72 h using MTT assay. The outcomes indicated that Dex-HT induced a significant dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on both AGS and MCF-7 cells. Moreover, Dex-HT showed a greater cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells than on AGS and normal cells. In this study, dextran, a biodegradeble carbohydrate polymer, was employed as a versatile scaffold to develop highly efficient antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer hybrid material.