TLC evaluation and quantification of phenolic compounds in different parts of Dendrophthoe falcata (Linn. f.) Etting (original) (raw)

Dendrophthoe falcata (Linn. f.) Etting. is a stem parasite commonly known as 'Vanda' in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. A TLC method has been established for simultaneous identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in different parts of this plant. Chromatography was performed on silica gel with tolueneethyl acetate-formic acid 6:4:1 (v/v) as mobile phase, and characteristic bands of (+)-catechin, ellagic acid, quercetin, and ferulic acid were observed at R F 0.35, 0.41, 0.63, and 0.66, respectively. The method was validated for precision, repeatability, and accuracy. The method enables reliable quantification with good resolution and separation from other constituents of the plant extract. The accuracy of the method was checked by measuring recovery of all four phenolic compounds at three different concentrations and by matching the spectra of reference markers with those of the corresponding bands in the extract at three different positions, i.e. the start, apex, and end positions of the band. The presence and quantity of these phenolic compounds varies from part to part of this parasitic plant. For example, quercetin was present only in the leaves, ferulic acid in the stem, and ellagic acid and (+)-catechin in stem and root. More (+)-catechin and ellagic acid were found in the stem than in the root.