Pharmacognostic and chromatographic evaluation of male and female flowers of Coscinium fenestratum for Berberine content and its effect on antioxidant activity

Abstract

Coscinium fenestratum (CF) (Gaertn.) Colebr., [Family: Menispermaceae] is an endangered species of dioecious liana found in Western Ghats of India. The present investigation aimed with systematic analytical studies on the macroscopic, microscopic examination of male and female CF flowers, various solvent extractions, accompanied by phytochemical screening through chemical tests, identification of Berberine alkaloids, antioxidant activity and Berberine quantification by HPTLC process. Two different amounts of solvents (10 ml and 20 ml) with two different time intervals i.e 15 min and 25 min respectively, were used for extraction. Results revealed that both flowers had their own unique characters. Chemical tests revealed the group of phytoconstituents present, especially Berberine alkaloids, in both the CF extracts. The yield and antioxidant activity for female flowers resulted higher in methanol extract than other extracts. Validated HPTLC method with good linearity of standard Berberine was established, and the estimated amount of Berberine resulted higher in methanol extract of the female flower (low detectable in male flower). Finally, it concluded that the methanol extract was better for extraction of Berberine from the female CF flower (10 ml volume with 15 min time period) which also showed higher antioxidant activity using the DPPH method.

;TJPS-2019-0137.R4