Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF A TLC TECHNIQUE FOR SALSOLA OPPOSITIFOLIA DESF: A POTENTIAL MEDICINAL PLANT OF KACHCHH

Vishvaraj Vala*, Dr. J. J. Bhatt and Dr. Mrugesh H. Trivedi

ABSTRACT

Many halophytic plants, adapted to extreme environments, exhibit unique phytochemical profiles with significant pharmacological potential have been reported in Kachchh Region which is located in the westernmost part of India. Kachchh is characterized by an extreme climate, low precipitation, and high salinity, creating a challenging environment for vegetation. The genus Salsola has been traditionally recognized for its medicinal properties. However, no comprehensive phytochemical investigation has been undertaken on Salsola oppositifolia Desf., a halophytic plant native to Kachchh. To bridge the research gap on S. oppositifolia, the present study aims to explore its phytochemical composition and standardize a Thin-LayerChromatography (TLC) technique for its compound profiling. The plant was collected from its natural habitat in the saline ecosystem of Kachchh. Extracts were prepared using the Soxhlet extraction method with three different solvent systems and its described. Qualitative and quantitative analyses confirmed the presence of key bioactive constituents, including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and saponins. For chromatographic standardization, different mobile phase combinations were tested to optimize TLC separation, ensuring clear and reproducible banding patterns. The final optimized mobile phase effectively separated the phytoconstituents, facilitating their preliminary identification. This study represents the first systematic phytochemical exploration and TLC standardization of Salsola Oppositifolia Desf. The findings provide a crucial foundation for future pharmacological research and reinforce the potential of this halophytic medicinal plant for therapeutic applications.

Keywords: Phytochemical profiling, thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC), Salsola Oppositifolia Desf., Halophytic medicinal plants, Kachchh arid ecosystem.