HPTLC FINGERPRINT PROFILE OF STEROIDAL CONSTITUENTS OF ACHYRANTHES ASPERA LINN.

Abstract

The study was carried out with an aim to determine the steroidal profile of the medicinally important plant Achyranthes aspera Linn. from methanolic extract of root, stem and leaf. Preliminary phytochemical screening was done followed by HPTLC studies. N-butanol: methanol: water 3:1:1 was used as mobile phase for the separation of steroids. The steroid fingerprint of leaf exhibited 7 peaks in neutral, 3 peaks in acidic and 7 peaks in basic methanolic fractions, while that of stem exhibited 8 in neutral, 6 each  in acidic and basic methanolic extracts. The fingerprint of root revealed the presence of 9 peaks in neutral, 6 in acidic and 9 in basic methanolic fractions. The study revealed diverse forms of steroids in large number in the root, stem and leaf of Achyranthes aspera Linn. It can be concluded that HPTLC fingerprint analysis of root, stem and leaf extract of Achyranthes aspera Linn. can be used as a diagnostic tool for the correct identification of the plant and it is useful as a phytochemical marker. The results also indicate that the plant parts are a good source of steroids.

Key words: Achyranthes aspera Linn. Root, stem, Leaf, Phytochemical Screening, HPTLC  Fingerprinting,  steroids.