UHPLC assessment of embelin in specialized mangrove plant Aegiceras corniculatum (L) Blanco

Abstract

Abstract Background Embelin is one of the biologically charming natural benzoquinones with wide medicament use in therapeutics that is pertained to its unique biochemical structure. Mostly, the plants belonging to Myrsinaceae family especially the fruits of genus Embelia are rich source of embelin. However, the colossal use of these plants as an active ingredient in several drug formulations has led toward their decrease population number increasing the threat status. This major issue requires a well-versed scientific approach to search for suitable alternative substitute that can be used as an active embelin source. On this panorama, Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco can be used as alternate source of embelin. On this aspect, all the plant parts (root, stem bark, leaf and fruit) are being estimated for embelin content both qualitatively and quantitatively using spectrophotometric and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) methods and also asserted through histochemical analysis. All the aforesaid plant parts are extracted through Soxhlet and water bath methods separately and analyzed for embelin content after isolation through column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Results From results, it was evaluated that all plant parts showed the presence of embelin in a range of 0.17–1.95% dry wt. through UHPLC method, while the highest content was found in fruit followed by root, bark and leaves. The retention time for embelin was found to be 2.7 min. Conclusions From the above experimentation, both vegetative and reproductive parts of A. corniculatum have shown the presence of embelin that can be utilized in ample amount so as to reduce the threat status of its primary source.