HPTLC screening of phenolic compounds and saponins in Polemonium caeruleum L. raw material

Introduction. Polemonium caeruleum L. is a promising medicinal plant with multivector therapeutic effect. However, the limited data on its phytochemical composition makes it difficult to develop modern medicines based on it. The need for a detailed study of chemical composition and optimization of standardization methods is due to the growing interest in the use of Polemonium caeruleum L. for the treatment of diseases of the nervous system and the societal demand for neurotropic phytodrugs. Aim. To conduct HPTLC analysis for phytochemical screening of Polemonium caeruleum L. extracts. Materials and methods. This study utilized samples of rhizomes and roots of Polemonium caeruleum , collected in the Leningrad region. Standard samples of flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and β-aescin were used for phytochemical analysis. Purified (preliminary defatting with chloroform in a Soxhlet apparatus) and crude extracts were obtained from the raw material by extraction with 80 % ethanol using an ultrasonic bath. HPTLC analysis was performed on Silica gel 60 F 254 plates in the following solvent systems: toluene – ethyl acetate – formic acid – water (for phenolic compounds) and n -butanol – acetic acid – water (for saponins). Detection was performed under UV light and using detection reagents. Results and discussion. On the basis of HPTLC-analysis carried out in rhizomes with Polemonium caeruleum L. roots, chlorogenic acid has been identified. It has been established that the procedure of degreasing the raw material leads to a decrease in the content of phenolic compounds, and acid hydrolysis significantly changes their chromatographic profile. For the detection of saponins, the ineffectiveness of the method regulated by the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation is shown, and a solution of 50 % sulfuric acid was proposed as the detecting agent, which allowed the unambiguous identification of β-aescin (Rf = 0.32). The chromatographic analysis revealed a complex multicomponent composition of extractions, including several groups of bioactive compounds. Conclusion. In view of the growing need for effective and safe phyto-drugs with a neurotropic and expectorant action, as well as insufficient knowledge of the chemical composition of Polemonium caeruleum L., its complex phytochemical screening was carried out. By HPTLC method in the underground organs of the plant chlorogenic acid was identified, and also confirmed the presence of a marker saponin – β-aescin, for the detection of which the selection of the detecting agent was optimized. The data obtained fill the gap in modern scientific knowledge about this type of raw material and form the basis for the development of standardized medicinal plant raw materials based on it.