Vol. 5, Issue 4 (2017)
Comparative thin layer chromatographic evaluation of some Western Himalayan Swertia species
Author(s): Aruna Mehta, Romesh Chand Rana, Yash Pal Sharma and Seema Sharma
Abstract: Swertia chirayita (family Gentianaceae), source of important Indian Ayurvedic drug “chirayita’’, is an imperative medicinal plant in Indian system of medicine known for its bitter principles. The bitterness in S. chirayita is due to presence of two secoiridoid glycosides amarogentin and amaroswerin. However, due to its high demand and scarcity, it is being frequently adulterated with other species of Swertia which are more readily available. Presently almost all the similar looking species of Swertia are marketed as ‘chirayita’ without any rationale which is affecting the potency of the drug. Present studies focused on evaluating Swertia chirayita along with its four common adulterants by developing TLC fingerprinting profile in petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts employing amarogentin as a reference marker to distinguish genuine chirayita from its adulterants. The study revealed methanol soluble fraction of five Swertia species viz. Swertia chirayita, S. alata, S. angustifolia, S. cordata and S. purpurascens showed presence of amarogentin and amaroswerin (major chemical constituents) only in S. chirayita whereas these spots were totally absent in the remaining four species. The results clearly revealed that TLC fingerprinting profiles of five Swertia species in methanol soluble fractions using amarogentin as a biomarker can be utilized to distinguish S. chirayita from other species due to presence of spot corresponding to amarogentin in S. chirayita only. On the other hand, TLC fingerprint profiles of chloroform and petroleum ether extracts were also supportive to mark the similarities and dissimilarities between different Swertia species.
Pages: 86-92 | 1599 Views 138 Downloads
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How to cite this article:
Aruna Mehta, Romesh Chand Rana, Yash Pal Sharma, Seema Sharma. Comparative thin layer chromatographic evaluation of some Western Himalayan Swertia species. Int J Chem Stud 2017;5(4):86-92.
