Comparative study of high-performance thin-layer chromatography and antioxidant potential of Hydrocotyle asiatica mother tincture used in homoeopathy

Abstract

Background: Hydrocotyle asiatica has a therapeutic significance in the Indian system of medicine due to its rich antioxidant activity. In Homoeopathy, Hydrocotyle asiatica is used for the treatment of jaundice, skin diseases, dropsy, elephantiasis, leprosy, gonorrhea, leucorrhea, and nervous debility. It contains the abundant triterpene glycoside Asiatic acid which shows cytotoxic activity on cancer cells. Its homoeopathic mother tincture is a major source of antioxidant compounds, which is responsible for its overall pharmacological activity. Objectives: This study was done to evaluate antioxidant activity and High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography study of Hydrocotyle asiatica in-house homoeopathic mother tincture and market samples. Materials and Methods: Antioxidant activity of in-house homoeopathic mother tincture (A) and three market samples (B, C, and D) were determined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free-radical scavenging activity, total phenol, and 2,2’-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay methods. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) study performed on precoated silica gel 60 F254 TLC plate, mobile phase used was toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (5.5:4.5:1, v/v/v) and UV detection were performed at 254 and 366 nm. For derivatization, an anisaldehyde sulfuric acid reagent was used. Results: The homoeopathic mother tincture of Hydrocotyle asiatica had prominent antioxidant activity. HPTLC study indicated the presence of triterpene glycoside compound Asiatic acid in chloroform extract of Hydrocotyle asiatica. Conclusion: The mother tinctures prepared by authenticated plant samples showed maximum active constituents and prominent antioxidant activity as compared to the mother tinctures procured from the market. The present study justifies the homoeopathic usage of Hydrocotyle asiatica and highlights its healing properties