Studies on quantification of phytochemicals in the Catharanthus roseus and Datura stramonium by HPLC and evaluation of their cytotoxic activity on HeLa Cell line

The current study investigated on the phytochemical composition and cytotoxic potential of methanol extracts from Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle) and Datura stramonium against HeLa cervical cancer cells. Alkaloids and flavonoids were isolated and characterized using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), the Shinoda test, and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). TLC analysis revealed distinct spots corresponding to flavonoids and phenolic compounds, while the Shinoda test confirmed flavonoid presence in all samples. HPLC profiling identified morin, naringin, quercetin, and rutin, with C. roseus leaves showing notably higher quercetin and rutin content, and higher naringin levels compared to D. stramonium . Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay, revealing that D. stramonium leaf extract exhibited the highest cytotoxicity (78% cell death), followed by C. roseus leaf (71%) and stem (59%) extracts. These findings highlight C. roseus as a clinically established anticancer agent with a favorable safety profile, and D. stramonium as a potent but toxic candidate warranting dose-regulated investigation. The combined use of TLC, Shinoda, and HPLC techniques provides a robust approach for phytochemical and pharmacological studies of medicinal plants