Quantitative and Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis of Saponins from Three Kenyan Ruellia Species: Ruellia prostrata, Ruellia lineari-bracteolata and Ruellia bignoniiflora
Ruellia (syn. Dipteracanthus) species are wild perennial creepers belonging to the Acanthaceae family. These species are reported to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, gastroprotective, anticancer, and immuno-stimulant properties. Phytochemical screening of both aqueous and methanolic extracts of Ruellia species revealed the presence of saponins. Saponins have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immuno-stimulant, antihepatotoxic, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, and antiulcerogenic activities. The objective of this study was to quantify and analyze the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of saponins in crude extracts of three Kenyan Ruellia species namely Ruellia prostrata (RPM), Ruellia lineari-bracteolata (RLB) and Ruellia bignoniiflora (RBK). Sequential organic extraction of the ground whole plant material was done using petroleum ether (PE), chloroform, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and absolute methanol by cold maceration, while aqueous extraction was by hot maceration. The plant powders and extracts were mixed with spectroscopic grade KBr and compressed into a pellet. The infrared spectra were recorded using a Shimadzu FTIR spectrophotometer of 8000 series in the range of 3500 cm-1 - 500 cm-1. Quantitative determination of the saponins was done using standard procedures. Quantitative analysis of saponins showed that RPM had the highest quantity of crude saponins (2.05% ± 0.03), followed by RLB (1.4% ± 0.15) and RBK (1.25% ± 0.11), respectively. FTIR spectra revealed the spectral peaks characteristic for saponins in RPM, RLB, and RBK plant powders, aqueous and methanol extracts; O-H absorption (3265 - 3393 cm-1), C-H absorption ranging from 2851 to 2924 cm-1, C=C absorbance (1628 - 1655 cm-1), oligosaccharide linkage (C-O-C) absorption due to sapogenins (1036 - 1042 cm-1). The crude saponins from RPM, RLB and RBK showed similar peaks to their respective extracts. The presence of the saponins in extracts of RPM, RLB and RBK may be responsible for some of the biological activities reported in the Ruellia species.1
[1] V. Nagavani and T. R. Rao, “Evaluation of antioxidant potential and qualitative analysis of major polyphenols by RP-HPLC in Nymphaea nouchali Burm flowers” in International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2004; 2: 98-104.
[2] WHO, “Traditional Medicine Strategy” in 2002-2005. Geneva, WHO, 2002 (document reference WHO/EDM/TRM/2002.1), 2002.
[3] WHO, “Traditional medicine. Fact sheet”, 2003, No.134.
[4] WHO, “Guidelines on Developing Consumer Information on Proper Use of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine”, 2004.
[5] G. Samuelsson, “Drugs of natural origin” in: a textbook of pharmacognosy. 5th edn., Swedish Pharmaceutical Press, Stockholm, 2004.
[6] J. B. Harborne, Phytochemical methods, London. Chapman and Hall, Ltd.,1998, pp. 49-188.
[7] J. C. Willis, “A Dictionary of the Flowering Plants and Ferns” in Cambridge University Press: London, New York, New Rochelle, Melbourne Sydney, Eighth Edition. 4, 1973.
[8] J. A. Singh, C. Cameron; S. Noorbaloochi, T. Cullis, M. Tucker; C. Robin, G. E. Tanjong, C. Doug; C. Tammy; P. W. Tugwell , and A. George ,"Risk of serious infection in biological treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis"in . The Lancet, May 2015. 386 (9990): 258–265.
[9] N. S. Mamdouh, S. Sachiko, M. Katsuyoshi, O. Hideaki, S.K. Mohamed, “Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Genus Ruellia” in IJP, 2015, Vol. 2(6): 270-279.
[10] F. A., Chen, A. B Wu, P. Shieh, D. H. Kuo., and C. Y. Hsieh, Food Chem, 2006,94: 14.
[11] K. A. Roopa, S. Borar, and J. Thakral, Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Res, 2011, 2, 1015.
[12] E. Nasir and S. I. Ali,” Flora of West Pakistan” in. Tech. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad. Rep. No. 1-190, 1991.
[13] L. S. R. Arambewela, R. Thambugala, and W.D. Ratnasooriya, “Gastroprotective activity of Ruellia tuberosa root extract in rats” in Journal of tropical medicinal plants, 2003,4:191– 194.
[14] M. D. F. Agra, K. N, Silva., Basilio, P. F. D., Freitas, J. M.: Braz Barbosa-Filho, in J. Pharmacog., 2008,18, 472.
[15] M. Rajan, P. V. K. Kumar, S. Kumar, K. R. Swathi., and S. J. Haritha, J. Chem. Pharm. Res.2012, 4, 2860.
[16] A. N. Kalia, Roopa, Sakshi Borar and Jatin Thakral, “Antioxidant Potential Fractionation from Methanol Extract of Aerial Parts of Ruellia Prostrata Poir (Acanthaceae)” in International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2011, Vol. 2(4): 1015-1022.
[17] C. O. Wangia, J. A. Orwa, F. W. Muregi, P. G. Kareru, K. Cheruiyot, J. Kibet, “Comparative Anti-Oxidant Activity of Aqueous and Organic Extracts from Kenyan Ruellia linearibracteolata and Ruellia bignoniiflora” in. European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2016, 17(1): 1-7, 2016
[18] E. Kaulukusi, “Pharmacological screening of Dipteracanthus prostratus with special reference to its anti-inflammatory activity” in MSc. (Drug Assay). Thesis. Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi,1983, unpublished.
[19] C. O. Wangia, “Isolation and Pharmacological evaluation of biologically active constituents of the extracts of Dipteracanthus prostratus with special reference to their anti-inflammatory activity” in MSc. (Drug Assay). Thesis. Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi,1985, unpublished.
[20] G. Sankari, V. M. Mounnissamy, and V. Balu, “Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing properties of ethanol extract of Dipteracanthus prostratus poir (Acanthaceae)” in Amala Res Bull, 2009, 29, 187-90.
[21] C. O. Wangia, J. A. Orwa, F. W. Muregi, P. G. Kareru, K. Cheruiyot, and J. Kibet, “Anti-Oxidant Activity of Aqueous and Organic Extracts from Kenyan Ruellia Prostrata” in. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research; 2017, Vol. 8(3): 1282-1286.
[22] S. Tesfaye, “Ethnobotanical and Ethnopharmaceutical Studies on Medicinal Plants of Chifra district, Afar region, North Eastern Ethiopia” in A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of the Addis Ababa University in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Science in Pharmaceutics, 2004.
[23] S. Yadav, V. Arya, S. Kumar, and J. P. Yadav, “Anti-inflammatory activity of root, leaves and stem of Dipteracanthus patulus (Jacq.) Nees (Acanthaceae)” in Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine S187-S191, 2012.
[24] Da Wei Li, Eun Bang Lee, Sam Sik Kang, Jim Ee Hyun and Wan Kyun Whang, “Activity-Guided Isolation of saponins from Kalopanax pictus with Anti-inflammatory Activity” in: Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2002, Vol. 50 No.7 900.
[25] S. D. Desai, D. G. Desai, and H. Kaur, “Saponins and Their Biological Activities” in Pharma Times Vol.41 (3), March 2009.
[26] F. Qiang, K. Zan, Z. Mingbo, Z. Sixiang, S. Shepo, J. Yong and T. Pengfei, “Triterpene saponins from Clematis Chinensis and Their Potential Anti-inflammatory Activity” in: J.Nat.Prod.73 (7) ,2010, pp 1234-1239
[27] A. Sofowara, “Medicinal plants and Traditional medicine in Africa” in . Spectrum Books Ltd, Ibadan, Nigeria, 1993, p. 289.
[28] H. O. Edeoga, D. E. Okwu and B. O Mbaebie,” Phytochemical constituents of some Nigerian medicinal Plants” in African Journal of Biotechnology, 2005, Vol. 4 (7), pp. 685-688.
[29] B. O. Obadoni and P. O. Ochuko, “Phytochemical studies and comparative efficacy of the crude extracts of some Homostatic plants in Edo and Delta States of Nigeria” in Global J. Pure Appl. Sci.,2001, 8 b:203-208.
[30] S. Sengmin, M. Shilong, L. Aina, C. Zhongliang, H. Chi-Tang, “Steroidal saponins from the seeds of Allium tuberrosum” in. J. Agric. Food chem.,2001, 49:1475-1478.
[31] S. Kirmizigul, and H. Anil, “New Triterpenic saponins from Celphalaria transsylvanica” in Turk J. Chem., 2002, 26: 947-954.
[32] L. Evangelista, P. F. Teixeira de Sousa, J. Bastida., and G. Guillermo Schmeda-Hirschmann, “: Saponins from Cariniana rubra (Lecythidaceae)” in Bol.Soc. Chil. Quim, 2002, 47(4) Concepcion dic.
[33] S. Natori, N. Ikekawa, M. Suzuki, “Advances in Natural Products Chemistry: Extraction and Isolation of Biologically Active Compounds, Kodansha Ltd, Tokyo112, Japan”, 1981, pp275- 287.
[34] P. G. Kareru, J. M. Keriko, J., A. N. Gachanja, and G. M. Kenji, “Direct Detection of Triterpenoid Saponins in Medicinal Plants”. Afr. J. Trad. CAM (0000),2008, 5 (1): 56 – 60.
[35] S. Schaffer, S. Schmitt-Schilling, W. E. Muller and G. P. Eckert, ‘Antioxidant properties of Mediterranean Food Plant Extracts: Geographical Differences’ in Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 56 Supp 1 pp 115-124, 2005.
[1] V. Nagavani and T. R. Rao, “Evaluation of antioxidant potential and qualitative analysis of major polyphenols by RP-HPLC in Nymphaea nouchali Burm flowers” in International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2004; 2: 98-104.
[2] WHO, “Traditional Medicine Strategy” in 2002-2005. Geneva, WHO, 2002 (document reference WHO/EDM/TRM/2002.1), 2002.
[3] WHO, “Traditional medicine. Fact sheet”, 2003, No.134.
[4] WHO, “Guidelines on Developing Consumer Information on Proper Use of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine”, 2004.
[5] G. Samuelsson, “Drugs of natural origin” in: a textbook of pharmacognosy. 5th edn., Swedish Pharmaceutical Press, Stockholm, 2004.
[6] J. B. Harborne, Phytochemical methods, London. Chapman and Hall, Ltd.,1998, pp. 49-188.
[7] J. C. Willis, “A Dictionary of the Flowering Plants and Ferns” in Cambridge University Press: London, New York, New Rochelle, Melbourne Sydney, Eighth Edition. 4, 1973.
[8] J. A. Singh, C. Cameron; S. Noorbaloochi, T. Cullis, M. Tucker; C. Robin, G. E. Tanjong, C. Doug; C. Tammy; P. W. Tugwell , and A. George ,"Risk of serious infection in biological treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis"in . The Lancet, May 2015. 386 (9990): 258–265.
[9] N. S. Mamdouh, S. Sachiko, M. Katsuyoshi, O. Hideaki, S.K. Mohamed, “Chemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Genus Ruellia” in IJP, 2015, Vol. 2(6): 270-279.
[10] F. A., Chen, A. B Wu, P. Shieh, D. H. Kuo., and C. Y. Hsieh, Food Chem, 2006,94: 14.
[11] K. A. Roopa, S. Borar, and J. Thakral, Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Res, 2011, 2, 1015.
[12] E. Nasir and S. I. Ali,” Flora of West Pakistan” in. Tech. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad. Rep. No. 1-190, 1991.
[13] L. S. R. Arambewela, R. Thambugala, and W.D. Ratnasooriya, “Gastroprotective activity of Ruellia tuberosa root extract in rats” in Journal of tropical medicinal plants, 2003,4:191– 194.
[14] M. D. F. Agra, K. N, Silva., Basilio, P. F. D., Freitas, J. M.: Braz Barbosa-Filho, in J. Pharmacog., 2008,18, 472.
[15] M. Rajan, P. V. K. Kumar, S. Kumar, K. R. Swathi., and S. J. Haritha, J. Chem. Pharm. Res.2012, 4, 2860.
[16] A. N. Kalia, Roopa, Sakshi Borar and Jatin Thakral, “Antioxidant Potential Fractionation from Methanol Extract of Aerial Parts of Ruellia Prostrata Poir (Acanthaceae)” in International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2011, Vol. 2(4): 1015-1022.
[17] C. O. Wangia, J. A. Orwa, F. W. Muregi, P. G. Kareru, K. Cheruiyot, J. Kibet, “Comparative Anti-Oxidant Activity of Aqueous and Organic Extracts from Kenyan Ruellia linearibracteolata and Ruellia bignoniiflora” in. European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 2016, 17(1): 1-7, 2016
[18] E. Kaulukusi, “Pharmacological screening of Dipteracanthus prostratus with special reference to its anti-inflammatory activity” in MSc. (Drug Assay). Thesis. Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi,1983, unpublished.
[19] C. O. Wangia, “Isolation and Pharmacological evaluation of biologically active constituents of the extracts of Dipteracanthus prostratus with special reference to their anti-inflammatory activity” in MSc. (Drug Assay). Thesis. Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi,1985, unpublished.
[20] G. Sankari, V. M. Mounnissamy, and V. Balu, “Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing properties of ethanol extract of Dipteracanthus prostratus poir (Acanthaceae)” in Amala Res Bull, 2009, 29, 187-90.
[21] C. O. Wangia, J. A. Orwa, F. W. Muregi, P. G. Kareru, K. Cheruiyot, and J. Kibet, “Anti-Oxidant Activity of Aqueous and Organic Extracts from Kenyan Ruellia Prostrata” in. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research; 2017, Vol. 8(3): 1282-1286.
[22] S. Tesfaye, “Ethnobotanical and Ethnopharmaceutical Studies on Medicinal Plants of Chifra district, Afar region, North Eastern Ethiopia” in A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of the Addis Ababa University in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Science in Pharmaceutics, 2004.
[23] S. Yadav, V. Arya, S. Kumar, and J. P. Yadav, “Anti-inflammatory activity of root, leaves and stem of Dipteracanthus patulus (Jacq.) Nees (Acanthaceae)” in Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine S187-S191, 2012.
[24] Da Wei Li, Eun Bang Lee, Sam Sik Kang, Jim Ee Hyun and Wan Kyun Whang, “Activity-Guided Isolation of saponins from Kalopanax pictus with Anti-inflammatory Activity” in: Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2002, Vol. 50 No.7 900.
[25] S. D. Desai, D. G. Desai, and H. Kaur, “Saponins and Their Biological Activities” in Pharma Times Vol.41 (3), March 2009.
[26] F. Qiang, K. Zan, Z. Mingbo, Z. Sixiang, S. Shepo, J. Yong and T. Pengfei, “Triterpene saponins from Clematis Chinensis and Their Potential Anti-inflammatory Activity” in: J.Nat.Prod.73 (7) ,2010, pp 1234-1239
[27] A. Sofowara, “Medicinal plants and Traditional medicine in Africa” in . Spectrum Books Ltd, Ibadan, Nigeria, 1993, p. 289.
[28] H. O. Edeoga, D. E. Okwu and B. O Mbaebie,” Phytochemical constituents of some Nigerian medicinal Plants” in African Journal of Biotechnology, 2005, Vol. 4 (7), pp. 685-688.
[29] B. O. Obadoni and P. O. Ochuko, “Phytochemical studies and comparative efficacy of the crude extracts of some Homostatic plants in Edo and Delta States of Nigeria” in Global J. Pure Appl. Sci.,2001, 8 b:203-208.
[30] S. Sengmin, M. Shilong, L. Aina, C. Zhongliang, H. Chi-Tang, “Steroidal saponins from the seeds of Allium tuberrosum” in. J. Agric. Food chem.,2001, 49:1475-1478.
[31] S. Kirmizigul, and H. Anil, “New Triterpenic saponins from Celphalaria transsylvanica” in Turk J. Chem., 2002, 26: 947-954.
[32] L. Evangelista, P. F. Teixeira de Sousa, J. Bastida., and G. Guillermo Schmeda-Hirschmann, “: Saponins from Cariniana rubra (Lecythidaceae)” in Bol.Soc. Chil. Quim, 2002, 47(4) Concepcion dic.
[33] S. Natori, N. Ikekawa, M. Suzuki, “Advances in Natural Products Chemistry: Extraction and Isolation of Biologically Active Compounds, Kodansha Ltd, Tokyo112, Japan”, 1981, pp275- 287.
[34] P. G. Kareru, J. M. Keriko, J., A. N. Gachanja, and G. M. Kenji, “Direct Detection of Triterpenoid Saponins in Medicinal Plants”. Afr. J. Trad. CAM (0000),2008, 5 (1): 56 – 60.
[35] S. Schaffer, S. Schmitt-Schilling, W. E. Muller and G. P. Eckert, ‘Antioxidant properties of Mediterranean Food Plant Extracts: Geographical Differences’ in Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 56 Supp 1 pp 115-124, 2005.
@article{"International Journal of Biological, Life and Agricultural Sciences:77502", author = "Christine O. Wangia and Jennifer A. Orwa and Francis W. Muregi and Patrick G. Kareru and Kipyegon Cheruiyot and Eric Guantai", title = "Quantitative and Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis of Saponins from Three Kenyan Ruellia Species: Ruellia prostrata, Ruellia lineari-bracteolata and Ruellia bignoniiflora ", abstract = "Ruellia (syn. Dipteracanthus) species are wild perennial creepers belonging to the Acanthaceae family. These species are reported to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, gastroprotective, anticancer, and immuno-stimulant properties. Phytochemical screening of both aqueous and methanolic extracts of Ruellia species revealed the presence of saponins. Saponins have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immuno-stimulant, antihepatotoxic, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, and antiulcerogenic activities. The objective of this study was to quantify and analyze the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of saponins in crude extracts of three Kenyan Ruellia species namely Ruellia prostrata (RPM), Ruellia lineari-bracteolata (RLB) and Ruellia bignoniiflora (RBK). Sequential organic extraction of the ground whole plant material was done using petroleum ether (PE), chloroform, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and absolute methanol by cold maceration, while aqueous extraction was by hot maceration. The plant powders and extracts were mixed with spectroscopic grade KBr and compressed into a pellet. The infrared spectra were recorded using a Shimadzu FTIR spectrophotometer of 8000 series in the range of 3500 cm-1 - 500 cm-1. Quantitative determination of the saponins was done using standard procedures. Quantitative analysis of saponins showed that RPM had the highest quantity of crude saponins (2.05% ± 0.03), followed by RLB (1.4% ± 0.15) and RBK (1.25% ± 0.11), respectively. FTIR spectra revealed the spectral peaks characteristic for saponins in RPM, RLB, and RBK plant powders, aqueous and methanol extracts; O-H absorption (3265 - 3393 cm-1), C-H absorption ranging from 2851 to 2924 cm-1, C=C absorbance (1628 - 1655 cm-1), oligosaccharide linkage (C-O-C) absorption due to sapogenins (1036 - 1042 cm-1). The crude saponins from RPM, RLB and RBK showed similar peaks to their respective extracts. The presence of the saponins in extracts of RPM, RLB and RBK may be responsible for some of the biological activities reported in the Ruellia species.1", keywords = "Ruellia bignoniiflora, Ruellia lineari-bracteolata, Ruellia prostrata, Saponins.", volume = "12", number = "6", pages = "155-5", }
