Objective: To identify the flavonoids HPTLC profile (bio-marker), at species level, for the identification and confirmation of crude drugs, HPTLC separation was initiated on different parts of Aerva lanata (A. lanata) L. from South India. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening was done by following the method of Harborne. HPTLC studies were carried out following Harborne and)Wagner et al method. The ethyl acetate-butanone-formic acid-water (5:3:1:1) was employed as mobile phase for flavonoids. Results: The methanolic extract of stem, leaves, root, flower and seeds of A. lanata showed the presence of 19 different types of flavonoids with 19 different Rf values with range 0.05 to 0.98. In general more degree of flavonoids diversity has been observed in vegetative parts when compared to the reproductive part. Maximum number of flavonoids has been observed in leaves followed by root and leaves. Conclusions: The results of the present study supplement the folkloric usage of the studied plants which possess several known and unknown bioactive compounds with bio-activity. By isolating and identifying these bioactive compounds new drugs can be formulated to treat various diseases. It can be concluded that constituents of A. lanata have effective components which can be utilized as useful herb for alleviation of various illness and disorder.

OBJECTIVETo determine the chemical profile and steroids composition of the medicinally important plant Aerva lanata (A. lanata) L.

METHODSPreliminary phytochemical screening was done by the method as Harborne described. HPTLC studies were carried out as Harborne and Wagner et al described. The Ethyl acetate-ethanol-water (8: 2: 1.2) was employed as mobile phase for glycosides.

RESULTSThe desired aim was achieved using Chloroform-acetone (8: 2) as the mobile phase. The methanolic extract of stem, leaves, root, flower and seeds of A. lanata showed the presence of 30 different types of steroids with 30 different Rf values from 0.04 to 0.97. Maximum number (11) of steroids has been observed in leaves followed by root (10).

CONCLUSIONSHPTLC profile of steroids has been chosen here to reveal the diversity existing in A. lanata. Such finger printing is useful in differentiating the species from the adulterant and act as biochemical markers for this medicinally important plant in the pharma industry and plant systematic studies.

Amaranthaceae ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Humans ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Steroids ; analysis