Comparative phytochemical profiling of different parts of Saraca asoca

Abstract

Saraca asoca is a plant that is widely used in Ayurveda drug preparations and is most used in Ashokarista. The bark of the plant is used and the removal of the bark from the plant is a destructive mode of material collection and it eventually kills the plant leading to resource scarcity. The present study made an attempt to assess the possibility of using other plant parts of S. asoca in place of bark. Major phytochemicals including alkaloids, carbohydrates, phenols, glycosides, quinones, coumarins, terpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins, were observed to be present in bark, young stem and leaf samples with varying levels. Saponins and anthocyanins were absent in bark and young stem samples, however present in leaf samples. The study showed a completely different GC–MS profile indicating the presence of different volatile molecules in different plant parts. The HPTLC fingerprint of different plant parts of S. asoca represents the characteristic markers of this herb. The study provided the quantitative evaluation of gallic acid present in the bark, young stem and leaves of S. asoca. The leaves of S. asoca are found to have maximum content of gallic acid compared to bark and young stem. The study concludes that the substitution of bark with young stems and leaves may not be a viable option considering their phytochemical constitution. However, the increased level of gallic acid in leaves can be considered as a promising option, wherein the activity of gallic acid is modulating the drug action.