Phytochemical Screening of Reserpine in Wild and Cultivated Rauvolfia Serpentina Mother Tincture

Abstract

Background: Rauvolfia serpentina has now become an endangered plant species in India due to climatic changes and increased demand of indole alkaloid Reserpine as a result, it is often adulterated with the other Rauvolfia species. The phytochemical profile of herbal drugs varies with species, so to avoid adulteration we have to search for another preference that is cultivated species.  Objectives: Comparative phytochemical screening of Reserpine in wild and cultivated R. serpentina MT (mother tincture).

Objectives: Comparative qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of Reserpine in wild and cultivated R. serpentina MT (mother tincture).

Methods: TLC, HPTLC were used to achieve qualitative phytochemical screening of Reserpine. The liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analytical tool was used to identify and quantify Reserpine in wild and cultivated R. serpentina MT.

Results: TLC, HPTLC shows presence of Reserpine in wild and cultivated R. serpentina MT, so quantitative phytochemical screening for Reserpine was carried out using LC-MS/MS analysis. Reserpine concentrations in wild and cultivated MT were found to be 0. 548 mg/g. dry wt. and 0.440 mg/g. dry wt. respectively. The retention time for Reserpine was found to be 7.199 (min.), 7.203 (min.) respectively in wild and cultivated MT. The LOD were found to be 1.44 ng/mL whereas the LOQ were found to be 4.38 ng/mL for Reserpine. 

Conclusions:  In this study wild plants exhibited concentration of Reserpine at higher levels than cultivated plant. Yet for the conservation of wild species there is a need for cultivated species under Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) so that the sustain supply of Reserpine can be ensured.