ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Comparative evaluation of phytochemical markers in five segments of Adina cordifolia (Roxb.) Brandis by a validated HPTLC method to explore plant part substitution and phytopharmaceuticals

Himanshu Sharma, Sujeet K. Mishra, Rani Khan, Vijay Kumar, Hemant Soni, Vaibhav Charde, Sanjeev K. Lale, Sugriv K. Gaur, Rajesh Bolleddu, N. Shiddamallayya, Ch V. Narasimhaji, Rajeev Sharma, Narayanam Srikanth, Rabinarayan Acharya, and Mahesh K. Dadhich

National Raw Drug Repository, Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Jhansi, India

E-mail: Sujeetmishra5@yahoo.com

Received: 31 October 2025  Accepted: 2 February 2026

Abstract:

Adina cordifolia (Roxb.) Brandis, a medicinal tree with significant value in folklore and traditional medicine, was investigated to quantify four phytochemical markers viz. Ursolic acid, Lupeol, Stigmasterol, and Scopoletin. HPTLC method was validated as per ICH Q2R1 using Ursolic acid, and Scopoletin to analyze markers in the leaf, flower, stem bark, root, and heartwood of A. cordifolia. The study comparatively identified markers at specified R_f i.e. 0.78 Lupeol, 0.66 Stigmasterol, visualized under white light, 0.59 Ursolic acid at λ 254 nm, and 0.42 Scopoletin, under λ UV-366 nm, respectively in extracts from five segments of A. cordifolia. Scopoletin was found to be the highest (135.17 µg) in the heartwood extract, while Ursolic acid (626.58.0 µg) and Stigmasterol (257.05 µg) were most abundant in the flower extract. Lupeol was found in the highest amount (159.48 µg) in the root extract. Interestingly, all four markers were detected in the leaf and flower extracts, while two markers were identified in the stem bark and heartwood, and three markers in the root. The phytochemical profiles across these plant parts showed significant overlap, suggesting that the leaf, flower, and stem bark could serve as viable alternatives to the heartwood and root for medicinal purposes, thereby reducing the need for more invasive harvesting practices. These findings provide critical insights for the quality control of A. cordifolia raw materials and formulations, affirming the pharmacological value of traditionally used plant parts and expanding the potential for utilizing non-official plant segments in therapeutic applications.

Keywords: HPTLC; Lupeol; Scopoletin; Stigmasterol; Ursolic acid

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-04712-w

Chemical Papers 80 (5) 5309–5329 (2026)