OBJECTIVETo study and compare the conventional extraction procedure with microwave assisted extraction (MAE) for some Ayurvedic Rasayana drugs and to evaluate their antioxidant potential and carry out the characterization of extracts by thin layer chromatography.

METHODSThree Ayurvedic rasayana plants Allium sativum Linn., Bombax ceiba Linn. and Inula racemosa Hook. were evaluated for an improved MAE methodology by determining the effects of grinding degree, extraction solvent, effect of dielectric constant and duration of time on the extractive value. Antioxidant potential of all three drugs was evaluated with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and reducing power was determined by using Gallic acid as standard. Further thin layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis was performed on pre-activated Silica Gel G plates and Rf value were compared with those reported for the important biomarkers.

RESULTSThe total extractive value for Allium sativum Linn. was 36.95% (w/w) and 49.95% (w/w) for ethanol extraction respectively. In case of Bombax ceiba Linn. the yield of aqueous extract by MAE was 50% (w/w) compared to 42% (w/w) in ethanol (50% v/v). Percent yield of Inula racemosa Hook. in aqueous extract was found to be 27.55% (w/w) which was better than ethanol extract (50%) where the yield was 25.95% (w/w). Upon antioxidant activity evaluation. sativum extract showed an absorbance of 0.980±0.92 at concentration of 500 μg with maximum reducing capacity. This was followed by. ceiba Linn. 0.825±0.98 and. racemosa Hook. with 0.799±2.01 at a concentration of 500 μg. TLC based standardization of. sativum Linn. extract shows single spot with Rf value of 0.38, B. ceiba Linn. extract shows Rf values were 0.23, 0.58, 0.77, 0.92 and I. racemosa Hook. extract spot had a Rf value of 0.72.

CONCLUSIONSA significant improvement in extractive values was observed as a factor of time and other advantages by using MAE technology. All three drugs have high antioxidant potential and a TLC profiling similar to reported ones. The presence of fructan type polysaccharide can be further utilized for bioactivity directed fractionation and evaluation of immunomodulatory activity.

Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Medicine, Ayurvedic ; Microwaves ; Oxidation-Reduction ; drug effects ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; isolation & purification ; Picrates ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Solvents ; Time Factors

Tibetan medicine Asteris Flos is the flowers of Aster souliei, A. flaccidus, and A. asteroides, with the function of clearing away heat and toxic matter, relieving cough, and removing phlegm. In order to control the quality of Asteris Flos, the morphological and chemical methods were established for identification of three origins. The morphological features of three species were described and photographed, and the microscopic characteristics of three drug powders were also described in detail and pictured. The results showed that three origins of Asteris Flos could be easily distinguished by their macro- and micro-morphologic features, and a key for distinguishing the three origins was given. Moreover, a TLC method, with apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucurono pyranoside and chlorogenic acid as chemical references, was also established for the identification of three origins. The results showed that the TLC chromatograms of the flowers of A. souliei and A. flaccidus were very similar, but different from that of A. asteroides. The established macroscopic, powder microscopic and TLC methods for identification of three origins of AF were simple, accurate, and reproducible, and also effective and easy to operate.
Aster Plant ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; Chlorogenic Acid ; analysis ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Flowers ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional

To control the quality of Maca, the quality standard was established in this study. According to the methods recorded in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 Edition), the water, extract, total ash, acid insoluble substance, and heavy metals inspections in Lepidium meyenii were carried out. N-benzyl-9Z, 12Z-octadecadienamide in L. meyenii was identified by TLC, and it was determined by HPLC. The results showed that the N-benzyl-9Z, 12Z-octadecadienamide identification of TLC was a strong mark and specificity. In content determination experiment, the linearity of N-benzyl-9Z, 12Z-octadecadienamide was in the range of 0.01-2 microg (r = 0.9998), and the average recovery (n=9) was 99.27% (RSD 2.0%). The methods were simple, accurate, with good reproducibility. It is suitable for quality control L. meyenii.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Lepidium ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo establish a method of TLC identification for Dida commonly used in Tibetan medicine from different species.

METHODWith silica gel G as the stationary phase, and chloroform-methanol (40: 1) as mobile phase, oleanolic acid from different species of Dida was separated and identified.

RESULTOleanolic acid was detected in 70 kinds of Dida derived from the Gentianaceae Swertia, Halenia, Gentianopsis, Lomatogonium, and Saxifragaceae saxifrage, except for the saxifrage, there are some differences among different genera or subjection.

CONCLUSIONThis TLC method can be used for identification of oleanolic acid in Dida from different species except saxifrage.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; methods ; Oleanolic Acid ; analysis ; chemistry ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo compare the antioxidant active components from two species of chamomile-matricaria and Roman chamomile produced in Xinjiang.

METHODThe TLC-bioautography was used, with 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical as the experimental model. The peak areas of various antioxidant components were obtained by TLC-scanning for analyzing antioxidant active components contained in volatile oil extracts and flavone extracts from the two species of chamomiles. The total peak area was taken as the indicator for comparing the antioxidant capacities of the two types of extracts, and comparing them with the total antioxidant activity of flavone extracts of the two species of chamomiles.

RESULTSAccording to the result of TLC-bioautography in volatile oil extracts from the two species of chamomiles, volatile oil extracts from chamomile showed four white antioxidant spots, including en-yne-dicycloether, and volatile oil extracts from Roman chamomile showed only one white antioxidant spot. The TLC-scanning result showed that the peak area of antioxidant spots of volatile oil extracts from chamomile was significantly larger than that of volatile oil extracts from Roman chamomile. According to the test on the antioxidant activity of the two species of chamomiles with ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, the concentration of chamomile after scavenging 50% of DPPH radicals was 0.66 g x L(-1), whereas the figure for Roman chamomile was 0.33 g x L(-1). According to the result of TLC-bioautography in flavone extracts from the two species of chamomiles, flavone extracts from chamomile showed seven yellowish antioxidant spots, including apigenin and apigenin-7-glucoside, and flavone extracts of Roman chamomile showed eight yellowish antioxidant spots, including apigenin and apigenin-7-glucoside. The TLC-scanning results showed that the peak area of antioxidant spots of flavone extracts from Roman chamomile was significantly larger than that of flavone extracts from chamomile.

CONCLUSIONVolatile oil extracts from the two species of chamomiles have significant difference in the antioxidant activity in TLC-bioautography. Specifically, the antioxidant activity of volatile oil extracts from chamomile is stronger than volatile oil extracts from Roman chamomile; the known antioxidant active components in volatile oil extracts from chamomile is en-yne-dicycloether, while all of the other three antioxidant active components as well as antioxidant active components in volatile oil extracts from Roman chamomile are unknown components and remain to be further determined. Considering the significant difference in the number of antioxidant active spots in volatile oil extracts from the two species of chamomiles, the result can be applied to distinguish the two species of chamomiles. The antioxidant activity determination result for flavone extracts from two species of chamomiles was consistent with the result of TLC-bioautography, showing that flavone extracts from chamomile and Roman chamomile are more antioxidant active, while that of Roman chamomile is stronger than chamomile. Flavone extracts from both of the two species of chamomiles contain apigenin and pigenin-7-glucoside, which are known, while all of the other five antioxidant active components contained in flavone extracts from chamomile and the other six antioxidant active components contained in flavone extracts from Roman chamomile are unknown and remain to be further identified. The method lays a foundation for further identification of antioxidant active components contained in chamomile.

Antioxidants ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Apigenin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Chamaemelum ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Flavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Free Radical Scavengers ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Matricaria ; chemistry ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Picrates ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo perform a pharmacognostical study of the leaf of Uncaria hirsuta Havil.

METHODSThe specimens of Folium Uncariae Hirsutae were collected for studying its characteristics, microscopic appearance and thin-layer chromatography.

RESULTSThe leaf of Uncaria hirsuta Havil was characterized by numerous multicellular non-glandular hairs, 2 lines of palisade tissue, a diacytic type of stoma, and clustered crystals in its parenchyma. At least two kinds of alkaloids identical to the control were identified in the specimens.

CONCLUSIONThe results can be used as the evidence for identification, formulation of the quality-control standards as well as further utilization of Folium Uncariae Hirsutae.

Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Pharmacognosy ; methods ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Uncaria ; chemistry

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

OBJECTIVETo compare the component difference of herb materials extracts of sesame oil fry and SFE-CO2 technique for compound ulcer oil.

METHODQualitative analysis of main component of dahuan, baizhi and chuangxiong in two extracts above was conducted by TLC. The contents of total anthraquinones, imperatorin and ferulic acid in two extracts were determined by UV and HPLC.

RESULTTLC experiment found that spots color of small Rf value component in oil extract were lighter than that in SFE-CO2 extract, but there was not obvious different between two extracts. Quantity analysis showed that SFE-CO2 extract owned much higher transfer rate of total anthraquinones, and it was 1.9 times of oil extract. Ferulic acid was similar in two extracts, and they were all below 10%. The contents of imperatorin in oil extracts were slight higher than that in SFE-CO2 extract.

CONCLUSIONThe components in the extracts of sesame oil fry for the herb materials of compound ulcer oil are the same as SFE-CO2 extract. Because SFE-CO2 extracts have no solvent limited for next preparation, it has more advantage.

Carbon Dioxide ; chemistry ; Chemical Fractionation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sesame Oil ; chemistry ; Ulcer ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo perfect the current standard of Rhizoma Diosoreae and Rhizoma Diosoreae stir-baked with bran by improving quality standards of the two processed pieces.

METHODThe quality standards were established according to 9 batches of processed pieces, separately. The standards contains items of identification, water, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, extractives, heavy metals limit, organochlorine limit, microbial limit and assay.

RESULTThe TLC of the two pieces was characteristed. The contents of acid-insoluble ash in the two pieces were increased, not more than 0.5%, 0.3%, respectively. The content limits of five kinds of heavy metals and harmful elements, two kinds of residual organochlorine pesticides and three microbial limits were increased. There were no more than 2 x 10(-7) of lead, 2 x 10(-7) of cadmium, 1 x 10(-5) of copper, 3 x 10(-7) of arsenic, 1 x 10(-7) of mercury, 1 x 10(-7) of hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC) and 1 x 10(-7) of chlorophenothane (DDT) in the two processed pieces, respectively. There were no more than 2 000 and 600 cfu x mL(-1) in the two pieces, respectively and no more than 30 MPN x 100 g(-1) and fungi can not be tested in the two pieces. The contents of allantoin in the two pieces were no more than 0.15%.

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple and suitable for the quality control of the two processed pieces.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; standards ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Dioscorea ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

To establish the quality standard of Sappan Lignum, TLC and HPLC method were employed. The components of Sappan Lignum could be separated well on GF254 thin layer plate using a mixture of chloroform-acetone-formic acid (8:4:1) as the mobile phase, and the 18 samples collected basically showed the same spots. The ethanol-soluble extractives of 18 samples varied in the range of 6.4% to 11.3%. The methodological investigation of assay showed, the peak areas and the injection amount of Brazilin and (+/-) protosappanin B were in good linear correlation when their amounts were in the ranges of 0.362-5.425 microg and 0.313-4.695 microg, with the regression equations of Y = 798,999.57X - 219,666.54 (r = 0.9997) and Y = 930,296.63X - 123,330.67 (r = 0.9995) and the average recoveries were 98.6% and 100.5%, respectively. The contents differed significantly among the samples. The TLC identification method established was suitable to identify Sappan Lignum due to its strong specificity. The HPLC assay method established could be applied to the quality control of Sappan Lignum due to its convenience, good reproducibility and high accuracy.
Benzopyrans ; analysis ; chemistry ; Caesalpinia ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry