Development of a chemical tracer and a chromatographic fingerprint for the quality control of finished products based on hydroethanol extract of fresh leaves of Cassia alata (L.) Roxb (Fabaceae.)

Abstract

SUMMARY
 Introduction: Cassia alata (L) Roxb belonging to the Fabaceae family is widely used in the treatment of dermatoses. The quality control of herbal products remains very difficult due to their complex phytochemical composition. This study aims to develop a chromatographic fingerprint by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and a chemical tracer characterized by UV spectrophotometry that will be used for phytochemical analysis of a hydroethanol extract of fresh leaves of Cassia alata (L) Roxb (EHCA) and a finished product based on this extract (mitraca soap).
 Methodology: Phytochemical screening was performed on EHCA. A spectrophotometric analysis was then performed. The tracer of the selected extract was searched in a soap following the guidelines of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
 Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of anthracenosides, saponosides, steroidal and triterpene glycosides, leucoanthocyanosides, tannins and flavonoids. A more visible fluorescent orange spot with an Rf of 0.52 ± 0.01 observed at 365 nm was established as tracer. It is detected at a threshold of 0.69 ± 0.01 mg/mL. TLC performed on the extract provided a good separation of this tracer characterized as an anthracenoside. The resolution factor to evaluate the separation with the other peaks was estimated to be 1.83 ± 0.01. This anthracenoside compound showed four absorption maxima at 223, 274, 284, 292 nm. It was also found in the C. alata soap. The orange compound (anthracenoside) is located at Rf 0.52 ± 0.01 at 365 nm similar to that of the initial pure extract.
 Conclusion: The selected tracer could be used to control the quality of the finished products based on this extract and in particular the soap.
 Key words: Cassia alata, quality control, tracer, anthracenoside, hydroethanol extract.