Pharmacognostic Evaluation and Determination of Secondary Plant Metabolites by HPTLC and its Antioxidant Activity in Myrica esculenta

Introduction: Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. (Myricaceae) is commonly known as Box Berry, Kaiphal, and Katphala in Ayurveda. As per the Ayurvedic literature the palnt is used for variety of diseases and disorders. Method: The present study deals with the pharmacognostical standardization, HPTLC analysis and antioxidant activity of methanolict extracts of the leaves of M. esculenta. The plant showed high phenolic and flavonoid content. In-vitro antioxidant study of dried leaves of Myrica esculanta was performed using methanolic extract. Results: Antioxidant activity of M. esculenta methanolic extract showed the least IC₅₀ value of 60 ± 1.15 μg/ml. Standard ascorbic acid showed an IC₅₀ value of 2.03 ± 0.06 μg/ml. The calibration curve of Gallic acid showed r² of 0.949 and R_f of gallic acid was found to be 0.44 ± 0.006. Quantification of gallic acid in the samples of leaves of M. esculenta has been performed and the gallic acid was found to be 0.056%. Conclusion: The presence of gallic acid has not yet been reported and quantified in this species which may be utilized for the proper standardization of the drug. The present study showed new natural antioxidant that can replace the synthetic ones to be used in foods and cosmetics.