Swertiamarin Analysis

2.5 Isolation and quantification of swertiamarin from Enicostemma littorale Blume
Isolation and quantification of swertiamarin an active lead compound from Enicostemma. Littorale Blume is achieved by HPTLC [59].

2.6 Swertiamarin – Phytoconstituents and pharmacological properties
Swertiamarin is one of the main active components in Enicostemma littorale Blume, a traditionally used anti-diabetic plant, and is responsible for anti-diabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects [60,61].

Swertiamarin is a bitter secoiridoid glycoside (Figure.2.1), which is effective in diabetic rats and prevents diabetes-induced dyslipidemia, cardiomyopathy and nephropathy in various other animal models [62]. Swertiamarin (SM) is the major compound found in Enicostemma

The effect of swertiamarin on the oxidative stress of neutrophils [82] and gastric emptying [83], antibacterial, brine shrimp lethality [84] and central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects in rats [85] was also evaluated. Swertiamarin is a representative constituent of many crude drugs, which are marketed in Japan and other countries and these crude drugs are normally evaluated by their high swertiamarin content [86]. It has very low toxicity and is a safe and effective antispastic agent. It showed sedative effect in mice, pigeons and rabbits and induced sleep in mice

The extraction was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness under pressure at 50o C and stored at 4oC until further use.
2.7.2.4 Preparation of aqueous extract
The Powder of the leaves of E.littorale (100g were macerated with water (80% v/v) and kept at room temperature (28-30o C). The extraction was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness under pressure at 50o C and stored at 4oC until further use.
2.7.3 Preliminary phytochemical screening
2.7.3.1 Qualitative analysis of Enicostemma littorale Blume
Shade dried and finely powdered E.littorale was successively extracted with n-Hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and water using magnetic stirrer at room temperature for 12 - 24 hours. The extracts were then evaporated using rotator evaporator. Qualitative tests were carried out on the different extracts (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous) prepared using standard procedures for the identification of various phytochemical constituents, primary and secondary metabolites (tannins, saponins, flavanoids, steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, amino acids, phenolic compounds) as reported