High-performance thin-layer chromatographic investigation of rutin in the leaves of Phoenix sylvestris in sequence with pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation

The current research aimed to investigate the pharmacognostical, phytochemical and quantification of rutin in leaves of Phoenix sylvestris by high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method. Various extracts of the leaves of P. sylvestris were prepared in different solvents by cold maceration method. The extracts were subjected to various chemical tests for detection of various secondary metabolites as well as to determine the amount of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC). The methanolic extract was subjected to carry out quantification of rutin by HPTLC method. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), etc. Pharmacognostic study mainly covered the macroscopic and microscopic features of the leaves including powder microscopy. Qualitative analysis revealed the existence of certain chemical constituents such as flavonoids, tannins, organic acids and saponin glycosides. The methanolic extract of P. sylvestris showed LOD and LOQ for rutin as 125.01 ng/spot and 204.921 ng/spot, respectively. The amount of rutin was detected as 54.6 mg g -1 of extract. Graphical abstract