Quantitative analysis of catechins in Saraca asoca and correlation with antimicrobial activity

Abstract

Herbal medicines are highly complex and have unknown mechanisms in diseases treatment. Saraca asoca (Roxb.), De. Wild has been recommended to treat gynecological disorders and used in several commercial polyherbal formulations. In present study, efforts have been made to explore antimicrobial activity and its co-relation with the distributions of catechins in the organs of S. asoca using targeted MS/MS. Eight extracts (cold and hot water) from four different organs of S. asoca and two drugs were prepared and antimicrobial activity was assessed by microbroth dilution assay. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of catechins in crude extracts was done by using targeted and auto-MS/MS and correlated with antimicrobial activity. (+)-Catechin and (+)-epicatechin and their biosynthesis related compound were found to be up-regulated in regenerated bark and leaves extracts. (−)-Epigallocatechin was found to be significantly higher in bark water extract as compared to others but showed low antimicrobial activity. Result showed down-regulation of (−)-epigallocatechin and up-regulation of (+)-catechin and (+)-epicatechin in the regenerated bark and leaves of S. asoca. It might be the contributing factor in the antimicrobial activity of regenerated bark and leaves of the plant. The concentration of (+)-epicatechin in processed drugs (Ashokarishta) from Baidyanath was found to be seven times higher than that of Dabur Pvt. Ltd., but no antimicrobial activity was observed, indicating the variations among the plant based drugs. This will be helpful in rational use of S. asoca parts. Furthermore, the analytical method developed is sensitive, repeatable and reliable; therefore, it is suitable for quality control of herbal drugs.

Phytochemical studies of the endangered tree, Saracaasoca (Roxb.) De Wilde

“…These results are comparable and higher contents recorded presently than those of Rathee et al (2010), Saha et al (2012 and, Shirolkar et al (2013), Ghatak et al (2015) and Ketkar et al (2015). This indicates that the content of the compounds can vary with the accession.…”

“…The unusual flavonoid compound quercetin is responsible for the fragrance in bark organs of S. asoca (Saha et al,2012). Catechin is a well-known flavonoid known for antioxidant activity and is also used for the symptomatic treatment of several gastrointestinal respiratory and vascular diseases and has also been reported to induce cancer preventive activity mediated through a chaperone like property (Pradhan et al,2009;Shirolkar et al,2013).…”

Phytomedicinal Importance of <i>Saraca asoca</i> (Ashoka): An Exciting Past, an Emerging Present and a Promising Future

“…Numerous literature reports establish the antibacterial properties of methanolic, ethnolic, acetone and aqueous extracts of bark, dried flower buds and leaves of S. asoca [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39]61 . 31,61,65 .…”

“…31,61,65 . These could be subjected to further detailed investigations for uncovering the bio-active principles.…”

“…Powdered bark also carries cellular species such as tracheids, stone, parenchyma, sieve tubes and other cells 14 . Lignin glycosides such as lyoniside, nudiposide, 5-methoxy-9--xylopyranosyl, isolariciresinol and schizandriside; flavonoids such as catechin, epicatechin, epiafzelechin-(48)-epicatechin, procyanidin B2, deoxyprocyanidin B, leukocyanidins and leucopelargonidin 61,81,82 ; and leucopelargonidin glucoside 83 have been reported from S. asoca bark 14,21,48,50,61,81,82 . Antioxidants such as polyphenolics, gallic acid and ellagic acid have also been described from S. asoca bark 14,21,38,43,[47][48][49]83 .…”