In Vitro Evaluation and Rapid Screening of Anticancer and Antidiabetic Phytoconstituents of Selected Indian Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Cancer and diabetes are two of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, creating a growing demand for safe and effective therapeutic alternatives. Medicinal plants have long been utilized in Indian traditional medicine and represent a valuable source of phytoconstituents with potential biological activities. The present study aimed to evaluate and rapidly screen the in vitro anticancer and antidiabetic potential of four selected Indian medicinal plants, namely Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Ocimum sanctum, and Tinospora cordifolia. Extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening, which revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds. Anticancer activity was evaluated against human cancer cell lines using cytotoxicity assays, while antidiabetic activity was assessed through α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition models. The results indicated that Withania somnifera and Curcuma longa exhibited marked cytotoxic effects, whereas Ocimum sanctum and Tinospora cordifolia showed significant enzyme inhibitory activity. Rapid screening approaches further confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds that may contribute to these therapeutic effects. These findings suggest that the selected plants are promising candidates for the development of cost-effective, plant-based agents with dual anticancer and antidiabetic potential, warranting further mechanistic and in vivo investigations.