Development of validated HPTLC methods for determination of triterpenoids and flavan-3-ols in leaf and stembark of <i>Manilkara hexandra</i> Dubard

<i>Manilkara hexandra</i> Dubard is a highly reputed medicinal plant of Ayurveda. In the current study, High-performance Thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) techniques were established for the analysis of triterpenoids like lupeol (LU), betulinic acid (BA), epimeric flavan-3-ols (+)-catechin (CA), and (-)-epicatechin (ECA), in its leaf and stembark. HPTLC separation was performed using petroleum ether: ethyl acetate: toluene: formic acid (7:2:1:0.3, v/v/v/v) as a mobile phase to resolve LU and BA at R<i>_f</i> 0.51 and 0.34, respectively. Further, derivatization was done using a 1% anisaldehyde-sulphuric acid reagent. For CA and ECA, the mobile phase was di-isopropyl ether: ethyl acetate: formic acid (9:0.5:1, v/v/v), resulting in sharp bands at R<i>_f</i> 0.43 and 0.38. The result showed that the leaf contains high levels of BA and CA, while the stem bark is rich in LU and ECA. Both methods were simple, accurate, and reproducible and would potentially be useful for the standardisation of <i>M. hexandra</i> Dubard.