Validation of UPLC method for determination of gallic acid from Ximenia americana L.

Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae) is a plant mainly found in parts of South America. It is widely used in the folk medicine of these regions as antiseptic, headaches, mental illness, antiviral, analgesic and antimicrobial [1]. The chemical composition of X. americana L. has been scarcely investigated. The sambunigrin compound was isolated in the EtOAc soluble fraction of alcoholic extract from leaves. Gallic acid, gallotannins and flavonoids were identified for the first time in the genus Ximenia [2]. The objective of this study was to validation the UPLC – UV method for quantitative determination of gallic acid from X. americana L. The method was validated for its linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ). The separation was carried out using a Phenomenex Gemini NX C18 column (250 X 4,6 mm; 5 µm). The mobile phase was 0.1% acetic acid and methanol with an gradient elution and sample analysis time was 8.0 min. The analytes were monitored at 271nm. Calibration curve showed good linearity (R2 = 0.996) and llimits of detection and quantification were 1.22 and 3.82 µg/mL respectively. The relative standard deviation for intra- and inter-day precision was found to be below 1.46%. The recovery rate ranged from 87.80 to 93.07%. This method can be applied to determine gallic acid as a major compound from X. americana L. herbal medicine.

Keywords: Medicinal plant, Ximenia americana L., Major compound, Herbal medicine

References:

[1] Mevy J, Bessiere J, Greff S, Zombre G, Viano J. Composition of the volatile oil from the leaves of Ximenia americana L. Biochem Syst Ecol. 2006;34:549 – 553.

[2] Le NHT, Malterud KE, Diallo D, Paulsen BS, Nergard CS, Wangensteen H. Bioactive polyphenols in Ximenia Americana and the traditional use among Malian healers. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012;139:858 – 862.