Physicochemical, Phytochemical, Qualitative HPTLC and Antioxidant Study of Medicinal Plant Leucas aspera

Abstract

Introduction: Leucas aspera (family-Lamiaceae) has great therapeutic significance in the Indian system of medicine due to its rich antioxidant activity. The main objective of the present work was to evaluate physicochemical, phytochemical, qualitative high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), and antioxidant study of L. aspera in-house mother tincture (alcoholic extract) and 2 market samples of reputed brands. Materials and methods: Three samples of mother tincture were used for the study, in-house-mother tincture (A) of L. aspera and market samples (B and C). For qualitative HPTLC studies, precoated silica gel 60 F254plate was used, mobile phase used was toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (7:3:0.3, v/v/v), and UV detection was performed at 254 and 366 nm. For derivatization,anisaldehyde-sulphuric acid reagent was used. In the antioxidant study, total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH, and ABTS assay were studied. Results and discussion: Result shows that the mother tinctures prepared by authenticated plant sample showed maximum active constituents and prominent antioxidant activity as compared to the mother tinctures procured from the market. Conclusions: The present physicochemical, phytochemical, HPTLC, and antioxidant study justify L. aspera medicinal usage in Homeopathy. This is the reason for the cure and healing property of L. aspera whole plant extract.
 HIGHLIGHTS
 
 Physicochemical and phytochemical investigation of Leucas asperaplant extract justifies its medicinal usage, its healing properties, and usage in Homeopathy
 aspera mother tincture prepared from authenticated sample showed maximum active constituents and prominent antioxidant activity as compared to the mother tinctures procured from the market
 The physicochemical, HPTLC, and the antioxidant study revealed the presence of major phytochemical compounds including triterpenes ursolic acid and oleanolic acid responsible for asperaoverall antioxidant activity
 
 GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT