Detection and Quantitation of Gallic Acid in Alternanthera sessilis and Clerodendrum infortunatum by HPTLC

Abstract

Objective: Gallic acid is an organic acid found in a variety of foods and medicinal plants that are well known as powerful antioxidants, and have along history of usage traditionally. Many Foods, herbs and tea all contain Gallic acid. Gallic acid is also found in gall nuts, sumac, witch hazel, watercress, oak bark, and a variety of other plants and herbs, also found in important Indian Medicinal Plants like Alternanthera sessilis and Clerodendrum infortunatum as mentioned in Ayurveda, in intellect enhancing preparations, later explored as part of tannins, which are astringent, bitter plant polyphenols. The age old Indian System of Medicine, i.e. Ayurveda is based on traditional way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and living in sync with the nature, thereby reducing or delaying the onset of any degrading / diseased condition involving neurological disorders. Leaves of Alternanthera sessilis (Family Amaranthaceae) and Clerodendrum infortunatum (Family Verbenaceae) have been mentioned in Ayurveda but have not been fully explored scientifically. Materials and Methods: It was thought worthwhile to generate experimental data on the plant material so as to explore some markers present in these plants, like Gallic Acid, which may be useful for future ready reference and may also serve as a parameter in Standardization and Quality Control / Adulteration studies. Gallic Acid has already captured researchers interest due to its effect on nervous system. Results: The concentration of Gallic Acid in leaves of Alternanthera sessilis and Clerodendrum infortunatum was found to be 8.022μg/mL and 8.54μg/mL respectively. Conclusion: The Data thus generated in present research work may be of use in future studies involving development of standardization /adulteration / substitution parameters on Alternanthera sessilis & Clerodendrum infortunatum. It is known that the present day lifestyle invariably results in Oxidative stress which results in an imbalance between high consumption of oxygen and low levels of endogenous antioxidants. It is known that Gallic acid (GA) is a strong antioxidant. It is pertinent to state that Gallic Acid may be considered as a marker for future studies on medicinal plants, related to Neuropsychopharmacological investigations mainly involving oxidative stress.