Phytoanalytical profiling of Cassia auriculata by LC-PDA-ESI-MS / MS and HPTLC supporting its metabolic claims

Cassia auriculata Linn (CA) (Avartaki) is a traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine used in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus (DM). Several preclinical studies have reported anti-hyperglycaemic, cardioprotective, anti-hyperlipidaemic, and anti-inflammatory activities suggesting potential of CA in diseases associated with metabolic syndrome.

This study provides important clues on the presence of possible compounds responsible for the pharmacological activity of the seeds.

With the help of column chromatography (CC) and Preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC) 13 compounds isolated from CA, these have been found single and synergistic mild to potent antidiabetic in nature. The isolation and quantitation showed the presence of anthraquinones like 6-methyl-1,3,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone,1,8-Dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methyl-9,10 anthraquinone and flavonoids like 3ʹ,4ʹ,5,7-Tetrahydroxyflavone, 5,7,4ʹ-trihydroxyflavone with quercetin, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside with common phenolics in CA.

High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) studies used to differentiate CA from other plants like Cassia alata, Cassia occidentalis, Cassia siamea, Cassia angustifolia and Cassia fistula. The marker compounds showed good separation and resolution with distinct pattern of each variety noted for addressing adulteration with quality control. We also identified 39 compounds first time in CA by target extraction mass spectrometry (TEM) technique in LC-MS-MS. The optimised Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) technique by LC- MS MS developed for 7 phytochemicals isolated from CA. Compounds detected in samples confirmed by qualifier ions and the ion ratio, with fragmentation pattern. With isolation and identification compounds, we have generated data about chemistry of drug. Using LC-PDA-MS-MS, the presence of bioactive markers has established in this drug in a quantitative validated way

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