Pharmacognostic Standardization and Chromatographic Profiling of Indian Folklore Medicinal Plant Kesaraj- Wedelia chinensis

Background

Wedelia chinensis (Asteraceae) is a traditionally used medicinal herb. Despite its extensive ethnomedicinal use, comprehensive Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical standards are required for proper identification, authentication, and quality control of the crude drug.

Objectives

The present study was undertaken to establish phytochemical and pharmacognostic standards for Wedelolactone from leaves and stems of Wedelia chinensis with supportive chromatographic fingerprinting for quality evaluation and prevention of adulteration.

Materials and Methods

The authenticated plant material underwent macroscopic, microscopic, and powder analysis. Physicochemical parameters were determined according to pharmacopeial standards Soxhlet extraction of ethanolic extracts of stems and leaves was done and phytochemical screening was carried out. Fluorescence Analysis, Thin Layer Chromatography, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography, analysis was employed to produce fingerprint profiles of the plant extract.

Results

The diagnostic macroscopic and microscopic characters of stem and leaves were also defined. The Physicochemical test showed fixed ash values, extractive value, and moisture content, which are within acceptable limits and showed purity and quality of the drug. Phytochemical test showed presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, and steroids. Fluorescence showed fixed colors under visible and ultraviolet light. TLC and HPTLC showed bands which fixed point appeared in R_f value of about 0.55 which corresponds to Wedelolactone in Wedelia chinensis. The GC-MS test showed major components which are Stigmasterol, n-hexadecanoic acid, neophytadiene, and Long-chain alcohol derivatives.

Conclusion

The study provides reliable pharmacognostic, physicochemical, and chromatographic standards for Wedelia chinensis. The established standards support authentication and quality control of Wedelia chinensis