A comparative thin layer chromatography study of different brands of five herbal remedies
Date
2008-02-29T13:36:15Z
Authors
Urbani, Carla
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The belief that herbal remedies are less invasive on the human body than conventional
medicine and the return of the consumer to a more natural lifestyle, has led to the
development of a multitude of remedies, with many different uses. Because the use of
these herbal remedies has increased drastically in the last decade, it is essential that
the quality and efficacy of these products are well regulated. One of the objectives in
this study includes the investigation of the presence of marker metabolites in five
herbal remedies, namely Serenoa repens, Silybum marianum, Hypericum perforatum,
Echinacea purpurea and Gingko biloba. Although most of the brands tested contained
the active ingredients assayed for, a few exceptions were found. However, because
this study used only thin layer chromatography for analysis of products, verification of
these results should be obtained using other more modern methods for example high
pressure liquid chromatography. Four brands of Serenoa repens were selected and
assayed for the presence of -sitosterol. All four brands tested indicated the presence
of -sitosterol. Five brands of Hypericum perforatum were selected and assayed for
the presence of hypericin, rutin and chlorogenic acid. Four of the five products tested
indicated the presence of hypericin, while three of five products indicated the presence
of rutin and chlorogenic acid. Five brands of Echinacea purpurea were selected and
assayed for the presence of -sitosterol, chlorogenic and caffeic acid. Three of the
five products indicated the presence of -sitosterol, while only one of the five products
contained chlorogenic acid. Caffeic acid was present in 3 of the 5 products. Seven
brands of Gingko biloba were selected and assayed for the presence of rutin and
bilobalide. Five of the seven products indicated the presence of rutin and bilobalide.
Four brands of Silybum marianum were selected and assayed for the presence of both
taxifolin and sylibin. Only two of the four products contained both taxifolin and
silybin. The second objective of this study is to provide a literature review of the five
herbal remedies mentioned above. Amongst the topics discussed were uses of these
plants, evidence from studies conducted, chemistry and mechanism of action of the
active molecules contained in the plants.
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Keywords
Thin layer chromatography, herbal remedies