CHARACTERIZATION OF UV-ABSORBING BENZOPHENONES FROM NATURAL AS WELL AS IN-VITRO ROOTS OF GARCINIA INDICA (THOUARS) CHOISY USING AN EFFICIENT HYPHENATED TECHNIQUE HPTLC-MS

Nowadays increase in UV induced skin ailments and adverse effects of synthetic UV filters, prompted researchers to focus on natural compounds capable of absorbing UV rays. Garcinia indica is a rich source of benzophenones, which are present in all plant parts. As per earlier reports, ethyl acetate root extract of it exhibits the highest SPF (7) than other plant parts. The present study aims to characterise anti-UV benzophenones and screening of in-vitro roots for it. Natural root extract subjected to silica gel column chromatography. The column fractions were analysed using a spectrophotometer and thin-layer chromatography. Initial fractions eluted in hexane to hexane: ethyl acetate 90:10 or 80:20 displayed a fluorescent blue band on the TLC plate and showed absorbance in the UV B region. As the concentration of ethyl acetate increased (Hexane: Ethyl acetate 70: 30) the eluted fractions exhibited an additional fluorescent green band. These fractions had a broad-spectrum UV absorption activity contributing to SPF and Boot star ratings. HPTLC-MS analysis of these two bands characterized garcinol (m/z 603.53) and 7 epi-isogarcinol (m/z 625.28) compounds from the green band and 14-deoxy-7-epi-isogarcinol (m/z 609.36) and 7 epi-isogarcinol (m/z 587.45) compounds from the blue band. Comparative HPTLC analysis of fruit and root extracts revealed that garcinol content is comparatively higher in fruit (9.3 %) than root (4.1%) which constitutes a higher boot star rating (5) in fruit extract. Root extract displayed an intensified blue band region which conferred a higher SPF (6.25) to root extract.