Seasonal variation in content of camptothecin from the bark of Nothapodytes nimmoniana (Grah.) Mabb., using HPLC analysis

OBJECTIVE: To study and compare seasonal variation in camptothecin (CPT) content from bark samples of Nothapodytes nimmoniana obtained from geographically and climatologically isolated populations. METHODS: A standard High Performance Liquid Chromatography methodology was used to analyze and quantify CPT from bark samples of N. nimmoniana. RESULTS: Sample collected from Amboli yielded highest CPT content 1.337 g/100 g dry bark powder during the monsoon compared to other localities in study. Monsoon (August) showed to accumulate higher levels of CPT in barks of N. nimmoniana as compared to summer (May). Amboli averaged highest accumulation of CPT compared to other localities under study. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate season to have control over accumulation of CPT. Locality Amboli has highest CPT content in all seasons and were the elite population during the study. The study also suggests the need for further investigation in lights of biosynthesis in the plant.