Quantitative determination of anthracene derivatives in Aloe vera leaves: Technique development

Abstract

AIM: The purpose of this work is to develop and use the method for the quantitative determination of Aloe vera leaves (Aloe vera L. ex Webb) using UV spectrophotometry.
 
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since the method of quantitative determination of Aloe vera leaves in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XIV edition is not available, it was developed at the Department of Pharmaceutical Economics and Management, Pharmaceutical Technology and Pharmacognozy of Orenburg State Medical University. According to this method the optimal conditions for the extraction of anthracene derivatives in aloe vera leaves are the following: extractant was 96% ethyl alcohol); the ratio of raw material and extractant was 1:10; extraction time was the extraction in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes and 15 minutes in an ultrasonic bath. The registration of the spectra was performed with the use of Unico 2800 spectrophotometer in the wavelength range of 190-700 nm in cuvettes with the layer thickness of 10 mm, Vilitec VBS ultrasonic bath. The UV spectra of water-alcohol and alkali-ammonia solutions of Aloe vera leaves were investigated.
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The quantification of the of anthracene derivatives (calculated on barbaloin) in Aloe vera leaves was carried out with the use of methodology that determines anthracene derivatives directly in the test solution without acid hydrolysis and oxidation of anthraglycosides. The developed method of quantitative analysis allowed to determine the content of the total anthracene derivatives in terms of barbaloin in fresh leaves of aloe vera, the content ranged from 3.0-5.0% (calculated on dry-air plant material).
 CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the content of the total anthracene derivatives in Aloe vera leaves calculated on barbaloin is 3.33%.