Variability in alkaloid and phenolic content vis-a-vis antigout potential among the natural population of Gloriosa superba (L.) collected from Central India.

The variation in alkaloid metabolites (colchicine and gloriosine) was found significant in the nine germplasms of G. superba (L.), collected from Central India. The maximum content of colchicine and gloriosine was in NBG-15 (Chitrakoot, M.P) and NBG-13 (Bheraghat, M.P). The phenolic acids viz. quercetin and kaempferol was first ever quantified in G. superba tuber. Cluster analysis on chemical variability (colchicine and gloriosine content) results in the identification of three elite germplasm(s). The radical scavenging potential was also found promising in the selected elite germplasm viz. NBG-13, NBG-14 and NBG-15. Further, the protein denaturation potential of elite chemotypes was found at par with standard colchicine. The study will aid in site specific exploration of high metabolite yielding chemotype(s) with validated pharmacological action to meet out the industrial demands. This will also promotes the commercial cultivation of species for socio economical upliftment in the area having similar phyto geographical conditions.