Exploring the Anticancer Properties of Phytochemicals from Jatropha gossypiifolia

The present study aimed to isolate and evaluate bioactive compounds from Jatropha gossypiifolia through a series of extraction, fractionation, and chromatographic techniques. Various extraction methods followed by multiple liquid-liquid partitioning and compound isolation using preparative and column chromatography were employed. Phytochemical screening of the fractions revealed the presence of phytosterols, copper acetate, alkaloids, and proteins. A compound isolated from the chloroform fraction was further characterized using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (^1H NMR) spectroscopy. Antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, which exhibited 37.50% scavenging activity, whereas the standard ascorbic acid showed 97.92%. Additionally, cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay on the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line, where the petroleum ether fraction demonstrated significant activity with 10 µg/mL concentration resulting in reduced cell viability. These findings indicate that Jatropha gossypiifolia possesses potent antioxidant and anticancer compounds, highlighting its potential in pharmaceutical applications.