The plants Vinca rosea .Linn and Asteracantha longifolia (K. Schum) are used for their medicinal properties. Vinca contains alkaloids Vinblastine and Vincristine which are having anti-cancer properties. While Asteracantha contains compound Betulin which is having antidiuretic properties. These biochemicals play a very important role in treatment of hazardous diseases. Phytochemicals such as saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, etc. are suggested to be present in plants. Both these plants are very significant medicinal plants. However, the constant exposure to the environmental pollution, affects the formation of these useful alkaloids, and other biochemicals thereby affecting the medicinal value of these plants. Although these biochemicals are present in very low quantities in the entire plant, they are in increasing demand. Hence, it is essential to study the effect of pollutants on these compounds.
We conducted a comparative study of these plants growing in both polluted and unpolluted areas. This study was conducted with the objective that it will reveal the biochemical and phytochemical alterations occurring and also affecting the alkaloid production in these plants due to the environmental pollutants. We used techniques such as colorimetric analysis and RP-HPLC (Reverse Phase - High Performance Liquid Chromatography) for the determination and quantification of the different biochemicals.
Key words: Vinca rosea .Linn, Asteracantha longifolia (K. Schum), alkaloids, RP - HPLC, phytochemicals, colorimetric analysis.
More..