initial characterization of crude extracts from phyllanthus amarus

Detection II:
Detection III:
Detection IV:
indole derivatives, prostaglandins, and essential oil components (Barbetti et al.,
1986; Fried and Sherma, 1994; Wagner and Bladt, 1996).
At UV-365 nm fluorescent zones are detected. Alkaloids that fluorescence blue,
blue green or violet fluorescence can be detected. Triterpenes such as quassin,
neoquassin and 18-hydroxy-quassin are also detected. Depending on the structural
type, flavonoids show dark yellow, green or blue fluorescence. Phenol carboxylic
acids form blue fluorescence zones. Lignans and isoflavones form blue
fluorescence zones (Barbetti et al., 1986; Wagner and Bladt, 1996).
Dragendorff (DRG) reagent: Detection of alkaloids (Barbetti et al., 1986; Wagner
and Bladt, 1996).
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reagent 5% ethanolic H2SO4: Detection of lignans and
general compounds (Fried and Sherma, 1994; Wagner and Bladt, 1996).
By spraying the plate first with sulfuric acid reagent (5% ethanolic H2SO4) and
then visualizing it at UV-365 nm, the fluorescent zones are made very distinct.
For compounds detected here see Detection method II, UV 365 nm (Wagner and
Bladt, 1996).
Powder Extracts
Extraction solvent B (absolute methanol) was used to produce powder for bio-assay
analysis, because this solvent had a good extraction rate for both P. amarus and Q.
amara. The TLC fingerprint of the produced P. amarus and Q. amara powders was
compared with those of the crude solvent extracts.
28