Background, Catharanthus roseus is widely used in traditional medicine due to its richness in secondary metabolites, particularly alkaloids and flavonoids. In modern pharmacology, Vinca alkaloids such as vincristine and vinblastine are of major interest for their antineoplastic properties. However, accessible and cost-effective methods for their quantification in plant matrices remain limited. Methodology, a qualitative phytochemical screening of ethanolic extracts from whole C. roseus plants was performed to identify major classes of secondary metabolites. Alkaloid fractions were extracted and weighed to estimate relative content. UV spectrophotometry was employed for compound identification and quantification, with calibration curves established for vincristine (λmax = 221 nm) and vinblastine (λmax = 208 nm). Differential subtraction and spectral comparison with standards were used to confirm compound identity. Results and discussion, the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of 8 out of 10 tested families of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthraquinones, catechic tannins, flavonoids, phenols, polyphenols and triterpenes, while saponins and steroids were absent. Alkaloid content ranged between 0.30 g/100 g and 0.55 g/100 g of dry matter, consistent with literature values. UV spectra confirmed similarities between isolated fractions and standards, though artifacts were observed between 220–250 nm, likely due to incomplete subtraction of carbonyl signals. Quantification yielded vincristine levels between 93.78 ± 0.56 mg and 177.65 ± 26.78 mg per plant, and vinblastine levels between 31.75 ± 0.12 mg and 67.01 ± 5.40 mg per plant. Relative percentages of vincristine and vinblastine accounted for up to 99% of total alkaloids in certain batches. These findings highlight both the potential and limitations of UV spectrophotometry, with matrix effects and spectral artifacts requiring methodological refinements. Conclusion, this study demonstrates that differential UV spectrophotometry provides a simple, rapid, relatively precise, and low-cost method for routine quantification of vincristine and vinblastine in C. roseus. While limitations such as spectral artifacts and matrix effects persist, validation of this approach could offer an accessible alternative for laboratories lacking advanced chromatographic techniques, thereby expanding routine monitoring of Vinca alkaloids in plant matrices.
- Open Access
- Article
UV Spectrophotometric Quantification of Vincristine and Vinblastine in Catharanthus roseus Extracts
- Jean Paul Ndongo Okala 1, 2, 3, *,
- Rose Ngo Nouga Nouga 1, 3,
- Stephanie Tamdem Guetchueng 1, *,
- Edmond Noel Menye Abouna 2,
- Jeanne Mauricette Mbole Mvondo 3,
- Nga Nnanga 1, 3, *
Author Information
Received: 19 Jun 2026 | Revised: 10 Jul 2026 | Accepted: 23 Jul 2026 | Published: 29 Jul 2026
Abstract
Keywords
Catharanthus roseus | vincristine | cancer | spectrophotometry UV | quantification
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