Title : Pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and HPTLC profiling of Syzygium diospyrifolium, Leucas aspera, and Samanea saman for polyherbal topical applications against multidrug-resistant infections
Abstract:
Flora remains very precious in traditional and modern health-care, since they have rich phytochemical compounds with medicinal activities. This study describes, in detail, the pharmacognostic, physicochemical, phytochemical and high performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) analysis conducted for three ethnomedicinally acclaimed plant species namely: S.diospyrifolium (Myrtaceae), L.aspera (Lamiaceae) and S.saman (Fabaceae) with reference to their incorporation into a polyherbal topical formulation against multidrug-resistant (MDR) skin infections. Fresh leaves were procured, identified by microscopy, authenticated, tested pharmacognostically and then dried powdered samples of the same were used for organoleptic and physicochemical studies. Methanol, ethanol and water were used for soxhlet extraction and the percentage recoveries obtained were found to be acceptable. The phytochemical screening showed that all the extract contains alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins, glycosides (both cardiac and steroidal), phytosterol diterpenes. Optimized solvent systems for HPTLC fingerprinting resulted in characteristic fingerprints that confirmed the existence of bioactive compounds and chemical compatibility of selected plants. The physico-chemical parameters such as loss on drying, ash values (total, acid-insoluble and water-soluble), extractive values and pH were found within the standard range which indicate quality of extracts. The detected phytochemical richness offends possible antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The combination of these plants has been found to be scientific validation of the traditional administration and form a valid reason for the development into synergistic polyherbal topical gel, which could further improve antimicrobial properties in addition to combating MDR infections.
