HPTLC Profiling of Hydrocotyle vulgaris L. Leaves for Identification of Bioactive Compounds

Hydrocotyle vulgaris L., commonly known as marsh pennywort, is a perennial herbaceous plant from the family Araliaceae, traditionally used for various medicinal purposes. The present study aimed to investigate the pharmacognostic and phytochemical properties of H. vulgaris leaf extracts, with a focus on identifying bioactive compounds through preliminary phytochemical screening, fluorescence analysis, and High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, steroids, quinones, glycosides, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids, with ethanol being the most effective solvent for extracting a wide range of phytochemicals. Fluorescence analysis of the leaf powder demonstrated distinct color changes under UV light when treated with various reagents, assisting in the authentication and standardization of the plant material. HPTLC analysis was performed on the ethanolic extract of the leaves, revealing a total of 10 peaks at 254 nm and 13 peaks at 366 nm, which were associated with various bioactive compounds. Five peaks at 254 nm were identified as an alkaloid (Rf = 0.16), ferulic acid (Rf = 0.53), vanillic acid (Rf = 0.63), flavonoids (Rf = 0.87), and quercetin (Rf = 0.99). At 366 nm, four peaks were identified as ferulic acid (Rf = 0.58), alkaloid (Rf = 0.63), flavonoid (Rf = 0.88), and quercetin (Rf = 0.97). These compounds are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, supporting the traditional medicinal uses of the plant. The findings of this study confirm that H. vulgaris is rich in bioactive compounds with significant pharmacological potential.