Abstract

STUDIES ON PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS

J. S. Josphine*, W. A. Manjusha and Aswathy S.

Abstract

Plant based drugs are in great demand due to their major contributions in pharmaceutical industries. Catharanthus roseus popularly known as Madagescar periwinkle is an evergreen shrub or herbaceous plant which exhibits the anti cancer activity due to the presence of vincristine and vinblastine. More than 3000 plants species were reported for the treatment of diabetics, blood pressure, asthma, constipation, cancer and menstrual problem. The main focus of the present study is to investigate the phytochemical, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity of C. roseus. Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, phenols, saponins and proteins. The alkaloids like vinblastine and vincristine are mainly present in the aerial part of C. roseus. The methanol extracts showed high antimicrobial activity against human pathogenic organisms. The extract also showed significant anticancer activity against L929 mouse Fibroblast cell lines type L, so it is considered as milestone in cancer chemotherapy. The studies implicates that bio-active compounds of C. roseus could potentially be exploited as anti-bacterial agents and anti-cancer agents.

Keywords: Cathranthus roseus, Phytochemical analysis, Antibacterial activity, Vinblastin, Anti-cancer, L929.