Extraction and purification of phytol from Abutilon indicum: cytotoxic and apoptotic activity

Abstract

Medicinal plants possess a wide range of secondary metabolites and most of these secondary metabolites have their own importance in the field of medicine. Abutilon indicum is widely used as a medicinal plant in the Indian system of medicine. In the present study, we have evaluated the apoptosis inducing ability of leaf extract of A. indicum. Hydromethanolic leaf extract showed cytotoxicity on Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells by affecting the growth and viability. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of secondary metabolites. A 2D TLC method was used for the separation of the active cytotoxic compound. A HPTLC method was used for the quantification of the bioactive compound. A GC-HRMS method was employed for the identification of the active principle as phytol, which was found to be responsible for inducing ROS mediated apoptosis in S. pombe.