HPLC-based identification of bioactive flavonoids from Drimia indica (Roxb.) Jessop and their in silico and in vitro cytotoxic activities

Drimia indica (Roxb.) Jessop, a geophytic medicinal plant in the family Asparagaceae, has long been used in traditional medicine, yet its bioactive flavonoid constituents remain largely uncharacterised. In this study, we explored the pharmacological potential of flavonoids derived from Drimia indica through an integrated approach encompassing phytochemical isolation, computational modelling, and in vitro biological assays. Using silica gel column chromatography followed by high-performance liquid chromatography, we identified three major flavonoids: quercetin, myricetin, and naringenin, based on retention-time comparison with commercial standards. Providing HPLC-based evidence supporting the presence of myricetin and naringenin in this species. We evaluated the biological relevance of these flavonoids using the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, with a focus on PI3Kα. Molecular docking and dynamics studies revealed strong and stable interactions between quercetin, myricetin, and naringenin and proteins involved in PI3Kα signalling. This study provides targeted evidence for the presence of myricetin and naringenin in D. indica through HPLC-based identification, along with their notable cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, underscoring their anticancer potential and supporting the medicinal relevance and sustainable use of Drimia indica .