Column chromatography and HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds in the fractions of Salvinia molesta mitchell

Salvinia molesta, commonly known as giant Salvinia, is a floating fern belonging to the family of Salviniaceae. In this study the active fractions of the fern extract were separated using column chromatography and phenolic compounds present in the active fractions were determined by RP-HPLC. Ethyl acetate extract was found to possess significant pharmacological activity when compared to other extracts under study and therefore an attempt was made to fractionate ethyl acetate extract. The analysis was performed through two different mobile phases involving solvent A (acetonitrile) and solvent B (0.1% phosphoric acid in water) and solvent A (methanol) and Solvent B (4% acetic acid). HPLC analysis indicated the presence of phenolic compounds namely ascorbic acid, quercetin, gallic acid, resorcinol, catechol, vanillin and benzoic acid with specific retention times. The detected compounds possess antioxidant and antitumour activities. The results of the present study suggests the possibility to use S. molesta as a source for a plausible antioxidant agent which could be isolated and used as a lead candidate for the development of antioxidant drugs that help stop or limit damage caused by free radicals and to counteract oxidative stress leading to the prevention of a variety of chronic and degenerative diseases.