Chemo-profile development of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. leaves using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) technique

Abstract

Compounds derived from natural sources have been gaining importance since past few decades because of the vast chemical diversity they offer. This has led to phenomenal increase in the demand of herbal medicines which necessitates ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of herbal drugs. One such reputed plant in the Ayurvedic system of medicine is Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. (Family: Asclepiadaceae), commonly called as “gurmar” for its distinct property as sugar destroyer. The plant exhibits a broad range of secondary metabolites which act as an effective natural remedy for diabetes, arthritis, diuretic anemia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolemia and many other diseases. One of the important modern analytical technique for the qualitative, semi quantitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of the secondary metabolites is High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). In the present study, a pioneering attempt has been made to focus on HPTLC chemo profiling of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. Leaf for presence of thirteen different secondary metabolites. Results of this phytochemical screening revealed the presence of all thirteen secondary metabolites in Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. Leaf.