PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND HPTLC FINGERPRINTING ANALYSIS OF SIMAROURBA GLAUCA

Deepa Dahar* and Aruna Rai

ABSTRACT

Compounds derived from natural sources have been gaining importance since past few decades because of the vast chemical diversity they offer. This has led to phenomenal increase in the demand of herbal medicines which necessitates ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of herbal drugs. The present investigation deals with phytochemical analysis and HPTLC fingerprinting of leaf, stem and bark of Simarouba glauca from Simaroubaceae family. The phytochemical analysis by spot detection tests revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids and phenols. Flavonoids, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides were found to be present only in some plant parts. Phlobatannins, saponins, steroids and anthocyanides were found to be absent in all the plant parts using different solvents. TLC analysis of methanolic extracts of some plant parts revealed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides and alkaloids, whereas terpenoids were found to be present in all parts. HPTLC fingerprint profile along with their Rf values and percentage proportion were recorded, which will help in identification and quality control of leaf, stem and bark of Simarouba glauca. The results provide justification for the use of the plants in folk medicine to treat various infectious diseases.

Keywords: Simarouba glauca, Simaroubaceae, Phytochemicals, HPTLC fingerprinting, Medicinal plant.