IMPACT OF HOST TREES ON STEROID COMPOUNDS PROFILE IN THE LEAF AND BARK SAMPLES OF A HEMIPARASITE -LORANTHUS LONGIFLORUS DESR ANALYZED BY HPTLC.

L. Chandrakasan and R. Neelamegam*

ABSTRACT

Influence of host plants on the steroids profile of Loranthus longiflorus leaf and bark samples collected from Casuarina equisetifolia and Ficus religiosa host trees were determined by HPTLC method. The methanol extract of L. longiflorus leaf samples obtained from C. equisetifolia and F. religiosa host trees showed 9 and 7 compounds, respectively, and were compared with stigmasterol standard. Among the compounds, 4 compounds in each sample, was identified as steroids while other compounds were unknown. Three compounds from each L. longiflorus leaf samples collected from C. equisetifolia (peak no. 6, 7 & 9) and F. religiosa (peak no. 4, 5 & 7) host trees showed similar Rf values (0.68, 0.80 & 0.89, respectively). On the other hand, the methanol extract of L. longiflorus bark sample collected from C. equisetifolia and F. religiosa host trees contained 10 and 6 compounds in each sample, respectively and were compared with solasodine standard. Among the compounds, 1 compound was identified as glycosides in the bark sample of L. longiflorus collected from C. equisetifolia while all other compounds were unknown and 2 compounds from both bark samples obtained from C. equisetifolia (peak no. 1 & 10) and F. religiosa (peak no. 1 & 6) showing similar Rf values (0.02 & 0.97). One compound (peak no. 1) of L. longiflorus leaf/bark samples, from C. equisetifolia showing similar Rf value (0.02) while none of the compounds from leaf and park samples of L. longiflorus collected from F. religiosa showing similar Rf values. The results of present study indicate that the HPTLC analysis of methanol extracts of L. longiflorus leaf and bark samples from C. equisetifolia and F. religiosa host trees make certain the presence of steroid compounds and the host trees influenced on the nature and number of steroids present in the hemiparasitic plants.

Keywords: HPTLC analysis, Steroids, Hemiparasite, Loranthus longiflorus, Leaf sample, Bark sample, Methanol extracts.