Pharmacognostic evaluation, HPLC-DAD and GC-MS analysis of Ziziphus mauritiana (lam)

Indian jujube or ber, Ziziphus mauritiana, is a member of the Rhamnaceae family with elliptic paired leaves. They have historically been used to manage a variety of conditions including hypertension, diabetes, liver disease, gonorrhea, abscesses, and diarrhea. The aim of this study was to investigate and establish the pharmacognostic and physicochemical characteristics of the leaves of Ziziphus mauritiana (Lam) by GC-MS, and HPLC analysis.

Experimental: 

The dried leaves of Ziziphus mauritiana (Lam.) were extracted with 70% ethanol. Phytochemical screening, HPLC-DAD, and GC-MS analysis were carried out on the ethanolic leaf extract using standard method. The epidermal leaf microscopy was done on the fresh leaf, and other pharmacognostic evaluation such as chemomicroscopy, moisture content, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, alcohol soluble extractive value, and water-soluble extractive values were also carried out on the powdered leaf sample.

Quantitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloid and saponin at 1.86±0.23% and 1.5±0.86%, respectively. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of quercetin, rutin, catechin, ferulic acid, and gallic acid while GC-MS revealed the presence of 1,2 Benzenedicarboxylic acid and n-Decanoic acid. The pharmacognostic parameters of total ash were10.3 ±0.3% with acid-insoluble ash of 3.3 ±0.2%, water-soluble ash of 2.8 ±0.2%, moisture content of 5.5 ±0.3%, alcohol soluble extractive value of 8.1 ± 0.3% and water-soluble extractive value of 10.2 ±0.3%. Chemo-microscopic evaluation indicated the presence of lignin, cellulose, tannins, starch, calcium oxalate, oils, and protein. Microscopy, fluorescence, and organoleptic analysis were also documented.

Recommended applications/industries: 

The findings on the pharmacognostic characteristics, physicochemical parameters, GC-MC analysis, and HPLC analysis of Z. mauritiana leaf can be used as diagnostic features that are useful in identifying and monitoring of the purity of the crude plant drug as well as being useful in telling the difference between closely related species used as raw material.