Identification of Luteolin in Henna (Lawsonia inermis) Oil, a Persion Medicine Product, by HPTLC and Evaluating Its Antimicrobial Effects

Persian scholars such as Avicenna and Zakariya al-Razi have pointed out many uses for henna oil. The present study aimed to propose a method for standardization of this oil.

The luteolin content has been evaluated quantitively by HPTLC method to standardize the henna oil. The oil sample was applied on silicagel plate and the bands were developed using CHCl3-MeOH (95:5). The plate was scanned at λ 254 nm. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined through the broth macrodilution test to examine the antibacterial activity of the oil.

The retention factor of the sample zone of luteolin standard was 0.6±0.01. The concentration of luteolin in henna oil was 56.57±0.66 μg/mL. MICof Henna oil against Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was 87 μg/mL and against Streptococcus was 870 μg/mL.

According to the results of this study, henna oil contains the luteolin. Further studies are needed to identify other henna oil compounds and their effects. Gardnerella vaginalis, N. gonorrhoeae, Group B streptococcus are among the pathogenic agents of cervicitis. The application of henna oil for treatment of uterus diseases in Persian medicine can be justified given the antimicrobial effects of henna oil on these three species of bacteria.