Assessment of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Plumbago zeylanica

Authors

  • Yuktha G School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics D.Y Patil Deemed to be University Author
  • Jaydeep Jadhav School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics D.Y Patil Deemed to be University Author
  • Subhash Kudale School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics D.Y Patil Deemed to be University Author
  • Mugdha Harmalkar School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, D Y Patil deemed to be University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71193/jpci.20260019

Keywords:

Plumbago zeylanica, Ethanolic extract, Antioxidant assays, HeLa cells, anticancer activity

Abstract

Plumbago zeylanica, a medicinal plant traditionally used in Ayurveda, mainly for its roots, while the therapeutic potential of its leaves remains less studied. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and anticancer effects of P. zeylanica ethanolic leaf extracts. Phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity was studied using standard methods. Anticancer activity against HeLa cells was evaluated using MTT, Scratch, Clonogenic, Methylene blue, and Hoechst staining assays. The ethanolic extract showed higher flavonoid content (26.95 ± 0.746 mg QE/g), FRAP activity (26.23 ± 0.891 mg AAE/g), and reducing antioxidant power (19.39 ± 1.16 mg AAE/g). The radical scavenging activity was significantly higher for ABTS assay (75.1%) as compared to DPPH assay (26.8%) and superoxide scavenging assay (18.88%). Although the extract exhibited marginal cytotoxicity against HeLa cells, it induced significant morphological alterations including cell rounding at 200 μg/mL. Cell migration and colony formation was abolished by 50 μg/mL extract. Staining assays indicated increased cytoplasmic granularity, compromised membrane integrity and modest apoptosis at 200 μg/mL. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the ethanolic leaf extract of P. zeylanica possesses moderate anticancer potential characterized primarily by anti-proliferative and anti-migratory activities, warranting further investigation of its phytochemicals as potential chemopreventive or chemosensitizing agents.

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Author Biographies

  • Yuktha G, School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics D.Y Patil Deemed to be University

    BTech Biotechnology

  • Jaydeep Jadhav, School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics D.Y Patil Deemed to be University

    BTech Biotechnology

  • Subhash Kudale, School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics D.Y Patil Deemed to be University

    Ph.D

  • Mugdha Harmalkar, School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, D Y Patil deemed to be University

    Ph.D (Cancer Biology)

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Published

08/06/2026

Data Availability Statement

Data Availability to readers is available on request to corresponding author.

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 01: (January-June 2026)

Section

Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Yuktha G, Jaydeep Jadhav, Subhash Kudale, Mugdha Harmalkar (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

G, Y., Jadhav, J., Kudale, S., & Harmalkar, M. (2026). Assessment of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Plumbago zeylanica. Journal of Phytochemical Insights, 2(01), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.71193/jpci.20260019

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