Abstract

Gloriosa superba Linn. is an important medicinal plant ( Liliaceae). It is a semi-woody herbaceous branched climber reaching approximately 5 meters height, with brilliant wavy-edged yellow and red flowers 1. Being native form Indian especially Southern India it is known as glory lily and climbing lily- in English. In the world market glory lily considered as rich source of colchicines and gloriosine 4. The flower has analgesic, anti-inflammatory potential, antimicrobial, larvicidal potential, antipoxviral potential, antithrombotic potential, antitumor potential, enzyme inhibition potential, and also used in treatment of snake bite, Skin disease, respiratory disorders 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Medicinal plants have been used as sources of medicine in virtually all cultures 10, 11. In recent years, there has been a gradual revival of interest in the use of medicinal plants in developing countries because herbal medicines have been reported safe and without any adverse side effect especially when compared with synthetic drugs. Thus a search for new drugs with better and cheaper substitutes from plant origin is a natural choice. The medicinal values of these plants lie in some chemical substances that produce a definite physiological action on human body 12. Different parts of G. superba have wide variety of uses especially in traditional system of medicine. The tuber is used for the treatment of bruises and sprains, colic, chronic ulcers, haemorrhoids, cancer, impotence, nocturnal seminal emission, and leprosy and also for including labour pains and abortions 13. Gloriosa superba also used in wounds, skin related problems, Fever, Inflammation, piles, blood disorders, Uterine contractions, General body toner, Poisoning 14, 15. Roots are acrid, anthelmintic, antipyretic, bitter, digestive, expectorant, highly poisonous and promoting expulsion of the placenta. Root paste is effective against paralysis, rheumatism, snake bite and insect bites 16. This plant has gained the importance in medicine in recent years for the production of colchicine in large scale 17. The aim of this study was to identify and determine the phytochemicals present in G. superba leaves, flowers, seeds and tubers. The main MeOH & dichloromethane extract were isolated and evaluated for anticancer activity.

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