Comparative studies on general parameters of flowers and leaves of Catharanthus alba and Catharanthus roseus

Abstract

The two species of Catharanthus, C. roseus and C. alba namely 'rosea' (Pinkflower) and' alba '(White flower) respectively are used in ayurvedic medicines for number of ailments. The leaves and flowers of both the species of Catharanthus are rich source of alkaloids that have antitumor and anticancer properties. The major compounds like phenols and flavonoids along with moisture, ash, fat, crude fibers and chlorophyll contents of flowers and leaves of C. alba and C. roseus were estimated. The results of above mentioned studies revealed that flowers of both the species contain more number of phenolic and flavonoids contents than leaves. Due to high number of phenolic and flavonoids contents in C. alba (531.26 and 20.05 mg/100g, respectively) and C. roseus (450.20 and 19.00mg/100g, respectively), it shows strong antioxidant activity which makes their potential use as a natural source of antioxidants and can be used in medicinal as well as in food preservation by inhibiting lipid per oxidation. All the parameters studied under the course of experiments for two species of Catharanthus are found to be statistically significant (p0.001).