Chromatographic Fingerprint and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Boesenbergia xiphostachya (Gagnep.) Loes Rhizome Extract

Abstract

Boesenbergia xiphostachya (Zingiberaceae) is commonly known as Ngon nark. The rhizome is used in Thailand as laxative and flatulence remedy. In this study, the one- and two-dimensional thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) fingerprint profiles of hexane, dichloromethane and ethanolic extracts of B. xiphostachya rhizome were studied for the first time. Distinct spots were visualized under visible light, UV 254 nm, UV366 nm and after spraying with specific reagents for preliminary phytochemical screening propose. The slightly different chemical profiles of all extracts were observed by TLC. The results indicated the presence of diverse classes of secondary metabolites i.e. essential oils, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids and coumarins. Three extracts were also in vitro tested on anti-oxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Among extracts tested, the ethanolic and dichloromethane extracts were found to exhibit the DPPH radical formation with IC₅₀ values of 565.18 ?? 37.85 and 695.14 ?? 84.70 ??g/mL, respectively. The further isolation and structural elucidation of the anti-oxidant compounds in this extract is interesting. This finding might be a useful supporting for further studied and expanded the utilization of this plant in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics fields.