Abstract

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GYMNEMIC ACID FROM GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE R. Br

Ambika Vasantakumar and G. M. Vidyasagar*

ABSTRACT

Gymnema sylvestre, a well-known medicinal plant belongs to family Asclepiadaceae is under threat. The plant is used in rural areas for the treatment of several ailments and also in the preparation of herbal drugs by pharmaceutical industries. Major bioactive constituents of G. sylvestre are a group of oleanane type triterpenoid saponins known as Gymnemic acids. Although, the composition of active bioactive compounds varies from region to region, the plant is used abundantly without looking at location of the plant. Therefore, to know the content of Gymnemic acid at Gulbarga region, the present study was carried out. Gymnemic acid was estimated using standard method. The leaves were extracted under continuous hot extraction in Soxhlet apparatus with 90% methanol and recorded yield of Gymnemic acid (0.17g). Gymnemic acid was purified by preparative chromatographic methods i.e. TLC and UV analysis, The presence of Gymnemic acid was further confirmed by various color tests.

Keywords: Gymnema sylvestre, Gymnemic acid, Extraction, TLC.