High‑Performance Thin‑Layer Chromatography Analysis of Gallic Acid and Other Phytoconstituents of Methanolic Extracts of Myrica nagi Fruit

Background: Myrica nagi Thunb. (family: Myricaceae) is effective against gastric, metabolic, and hepatic disorders. The therapeutic effect of its fruit, which is consumed in North India, has not been confirmed, and detailed chemical profiling of the fruit is thus required. Objectives: The study objective was to develop and optimize a high‑performance thin‑layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the characterization of gallic acid, quercetin, myricetin, and caffeic acid in the methanolic extract of M. nagi fruit and the quantification of gallic acid. Materials and Methods: Analyses were performed using HPTLC, and liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry. HPTLC experiments were carried out using an optimized solvent mixture, which enabled the separation and detection (at 254 and 366 nm) of four flavonoid compounds in the dried M. nagi extract. Gallic acid was quantified using calibration curves. Results: The proposed method enabled the detection of gallic acid, quercetin, myricetin, and caffeic acid. Validation took into account the estimation of linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, accuracy, and recovery of gallic acid. Gallic acid was quantified at 12.93 μg/mg of dry plant concentrate. Conclusion: This study describes the development of an HPTLC method for the analysis and characterization of phytoconstitutents in the methanolic solution of a dried M. nagi fruit extract. The method was successfully validated for the analysis of gallic acid.