Phytochemical Evaluation and Hptlc Profiling of Extracts of Salacia Oblonga

Plants of medicinal importance though are quite well known among the Ayurvedic practitioners since years, yet many of them have not been standardized, validated and documented completely. Among such medicinally valuable plants, Salacia holds a place as an effective antidiabetic herb and many species of this plant are in use as anti-diabetics. The present study reports the phytochemical analysis of one of its species Salacia oblonga (SO) (roots and stems), belonging to the family Celastraceae (bittersweet), through various biochemical and chromatographic methods. TLC and HPTLC analysis of six different extracts of SO revealed numerous bands, indicating the presence of diverse groups of phytocompounds, many of them are assumed to contribute significantly to its antioxidant activity as well as, other biological activities. This type of analysis can help in fingerprint profiling of the plant and its various species. The identification and characterization of the phytocompounds can further help in finding out molecular targets/mechanism of action of the constituents of this herb that are responsible for its biological activities. INTRODUCTION: The growing awareness about the side effects and complications of chemical and synthetic medicines, cosmetics and health supplements have triggered the usage of herbal products both in the Eastern and Western World. Herbal products are being used more in recent days and they are one of those substances that people use in a self-prescribed manner. Salacia holds a place as an effective antidiabetic herb and comprises of about 100 species, out of which, in India, Salacia reticulata (SR) and Salacia oblonga (SO) are predominantly used 1 . Unfortunately SR has been declared as an endangered species 2, 3, 4 . QUICK RESPONSE CODE IJPSR: ICV (2011)5.07 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com SO is distributed in the southern region of India and has been in use since several years extensively in the form of food supplements in countries like India, Japan and Korea, for controlling high blood glucose levels 5 . The root-bark of this plant is pale yellow and light brownish coloured and is used as a decoction or as powder in the treatment of diabetes and other diseases like rheumatism, gonorrhea, itches, asthma, thirst and ear diseases 6 . Moreover, the root extract has shown inhibitory activity on intestinal α glucosidases, thereby preventing blood glucose rise in diabetics 7 . Salacia oblonga is also reported to possess good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity 6, 8 . The extract containing the active constituents Salacinol, Kotalanol, and Mangiferin have been reported to significantly lower the blood glucose levels through inhibition of the enzymes involved in glucose metabolism 9, 10 .