Development of pharmacognostical parameters and estimation of quercetin using HPTLC in leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn

Introduction: The leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaceae) are reported to have great medicinal value. The main objective of the study is to establish the pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of N. nucifera leaves. Morphoanatomy of leaves of this plant was studied in order to establish its complete profile to aid in its identification and avoid confusion in taxanomic species. These were established using light microscopy, WHO recommended physicochemical and phytochemical procedures. Methods: The leaves were first dried and the dried plant material was then subjected to size reduction to obtain coarse powder using grinding mill. Powder was examined for macroscopical, microscopical, physiochemical and preliminary phytochemical investigation as well as quantification of quercetin in hydro alcoholic extract of N. nucifera by HPTLC. Results and Conclusions: Some of the diagnostic features of the leaves are the presence of covering trichomes, fibers, epidermis, and collenchyma cells. The phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, amino acids and flavonoids. The total flavonoids and phenolic content in the hydro alcoholic extract of N. nucifera are 32.21 ± 0.02 %w/w and 35.11 ± 0.02 %w/w respectively. The HPTLC analysis data indicated that the collected N. nucifera leaves contain 2.5 ± 0.003 %w/w quercetin of the total hydro alcoholic extract. Validated HPTLC method developed can be used as a tool for standardization of leaves in different formulations using quercetin as a marker.