Colchicine: Isolation, LC–MS QTof Screening, and Anticancer Activity Study of <i>Gloriosa superba</i> Seeds

• Main Authors: Acharya Balkrishna, Subrata K. Das, Subarna Pokhrel, Alpana Joshi, Laxmi, Sudeep Verma, Vinai K. Sharma, Vinamra Sharma, Niti Sharma, C. S. Joshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-07-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: <i>Gloriosa superba</i>; super critical fluid (CO₂) extraction (SCFE); colchicine; cytotoxicity; cell cycle
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/15/2772

Colchicine was extracted from <i>Gloriosa superba</i> seeds using the Super Critical Fluid (CO₂) Extraction (SCFE) technology. The seeds were purified upto 99.82% using column chromatography. Colchicine affinity was further investigated for anticancer activity in six human cancer cell lines, i.e., A549, MCF-7, MDA-MB231, PANC-1, HCT116, and SiHa. Purified colchicine showed the least cell cytotoxicity and antiproliferation and caused no G2/M arrest at clinically acceptable concentrations. Mitotic arrest was observed in only A549 and MDA-MB231 cell lines at 60 nM concentration. Our finding indicated the possible use of colchicine at a clinically acceptable dose and provided insight into the science behind microtubule destabilization. However, more studies need to be conducted beforethese findings could be established.