Abstract

HPLC ANALYSIS FOR METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS UNDER ELEVATED CO2

*S. Saravanan and S. Karthi

ABSTRACT

Catharanthus roseus, an annual perennial herb native to Madagascar, that were formerly included in the genus Vinca. It has gained interest from the pharmaceutical industry; the alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine from its sap have been shown to be an effective treatment for leukaemia and lymphoma. HPLC analytical methods for the screening of the major in dole alkaloids of C. roseus hairy roots and their iridoid precursors have been developed. A six month study was carried out in C. roseus to see the changes in different concentrations of CO2 with respect to vincristine and vinblastine. UV detector and L6200 Intel pumps were used for the study. The separation was achieved on C 18 column. The data of first month and the sixth month were compared. When compared to ambient, 600 ppm was less at first month and increased up to five fold at the end of sixth month. The vincristine was found to be decreased in the other chambers with 600 ppm, 900 ppm, and 600ppm+RH. The presence of vinblastine was nil in the ambient. In the first month, the vinblastine at all the concentrations except 600 ppm+ RH was present. Whereas at the end of the sixth month, it was found that vinblastine was present only in control chamber.

Keywords: Catharanthus roseus, HPLC, elevated CO2, vincristine, vinblastine.