Physicochemical, Heavy Metal Analysis, HPTLC, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Activity of an Ethanol Extract of Viola pilosa Blume Whole Plant

Abstract

IntroductionQuality control of herbal products remains a big challenge. There needs to be more than the physicochemical parameters to authenticate and differentiate adulterants in medicinal plants. Viola pilosa is one of the herbs used to treat various bodily ailments. This study aims to evaluate the quality control, HPTLC, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) fingerprint profiles of the whole plant of V pilosa. The in-vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the ethanolic extract of V pilosa were also studied. MethodsThe physicochemical standardisation and the heavy metal analysis of the whole plant of V pilosa coarse powder were carried out using standard methods. High-performance Thin layer chromatography and Gas chromatography - Mass spectroscopy (HPTLC and GC-MS) analyses of the ethanol extract of V pilosa were performed using standard methods. The in-vitro antioxidant properties of the ethanolic extract on DPPH and its antimicrobial effects against different microbes were also investigated. ResultsThe physicochemical properties of V pilosa have shown that all the parameters were within the permissible limits. The HPTLC fingerprint profile of the ethanolic extract exhibited 14 peaks under UV 254 nm and seven peaks under UV 366 nm. The GC-MS analysis illustrated the presence of 10 bioactive compounds in the test sample. The ethanolic extract showed significant antimicrobial activity against certain organisms and promising antioxidant activity. ConclusionsThe quality control findings revealed that the test drug was free from adulterations. The physicochemical constants, HPTLC, and GC-MS profiles of V pilosa can be essential data in the future. This herb's ethanolic extract may treat infectious and inflammatory diseases.