Isolation and Characterization of Aryltetraline Type Lignan from Roots of Podophyllum Emodi

Podophyllotoxin is a bioactive aryltetraline lignan obtained from roots of Podophyllum emodi Wall. P. emodi has significance in traditional medicine which possess cytotoxic and antitumor activities. Currently column chromatography is preferred method for isolation or purification of podophyllotoxin which is laborous and time consuming activity. The present research deals with the rapid and convenient method for isolation of podophyllotoxin from roots of P. emodi. The isolated compound was characterised by TLC, UV, IR, MS and NMR spectral analysis and purity of the isolated compound was ascertained by HPLC analysis.