AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE EXTRACTION AND QUANTITATION OF DIOSGENIN IN TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS L.

Abstract

Tribulus terrestris is a rich source of spirostanol and furostanol saponins and diosgenin being one of the major spirostanol sapogenin, quantification is important for routine quality control of T. terrestris extract. The dried powdered samples from various parts of T. terrestris were extracted with water:methanol (50:50). The extracts were hydrolyzed and successively partitioned using diethyl ether. The analyses of diethyl ether fraction were performed on TLC precoated silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ plates with toluene:ethyl acetate:methanol (7:3:1 v/v/v) as the mobile phase. Densitometric detection was performed at 430 nm after derivatization with an anisaldehyde sulfuric acid reagent. The method was validated and applied for quantification of diosgenin in T. terrestris extract.

Keywords:

• diosgenin
• extraction
• hydrolysis
• quantitation TLC densitometry
• Tribulus terrestris L.

Notes

^a n = 3; analyzed on the same day (for each concentration).

^b n = 3; analyzed on three different days (for each concentration).

^c n = 7; analyzed on the same day.

^d n = 7; analyzed on the same day.

SD = Standard deviation (n = 5).

SE = Standard error.