Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences

Volume: 47 Issue: 2

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  • Original Research Article

Phytochemical investigation and anticancer potential of Wattakaka volubilis (L. Fil.) Stapf. stem: A natural Ayurvedic alternative to Murva and Jeevanti

Devarakonda Shivani2, Niranjana Kumar Arigari1, Jonnala Kotesh Kumar1*, Kalavagunta Venkata Naga Satya Srinivas2*, Santosh Kumar Guru3

1Centre for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Science and Technology, JNTU, Hyderabad-500085, Andhra Pradesh, India
2Phytochemistry Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Research Centre, Boduppal, Hyderabad-500092, India
3Department of Biological Sciences (Pharmacology & Toxicology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad-500037, Telangana, India

*Corresponding author; Email: [email protected]

Year: 2025, Page: 83-87, Doi: https://doi.org/10.62029/jmaps.v47i2.shivani

Received: March 12, 2025 Accepted: Aug. 1, 2025 Published: Nov. 30, 2025

Abstract

The Wattakaka volubilis (L. Fil.) Stapf different plant parts have been used traditionally for different diseases like dyspepsia, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, etc. The plant is used as an alternative to the Ayurvedic herbal drugs Murva and Jeevanti. Chemical examination of the stem yielded two flavonoids: kaempferol 1 and its glycoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside 2. In-vitro cytotoxic activity of chloroform extract showed significant inhibition towards HeLa (IC50: 3.2 µg) and A549 (IC50: 2.8 µg) cell lines compared to standard doxorubicin (IC50: 3.2 and 0.8 µg, respectively). Compound 2 showed good cytotoxicity against HT1080 (IC50: 3.0µg) and PANC-1 (IC50: 6.0 µg) cell lines compared to standard doxorubicin (IC50: 1.8 and 3.8 µg, respectively). These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of W. volubilis in cancer treatment.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Cytotoxic activity, Flavonoids, Isolation, Kaempferol, Wattakaka volubilis

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Cite this article

Shivani, D., Arigari, N. K., Kumar, J. K., Srinivas, K. V. N. S., & Guru, S. K. (2025). Phytochemical investigation and anticancer potential of Wattakaka volubilis (L. Fil.) Stapf. stem: A natural Ayurvedic alternative to Murva and Jeevanti. Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences, 47(2), 83–87. https://doi.org/10.62029/jmaps.v47i2.shivani

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