Estimation of apigenin from Abrus precatorius Linn. leaves extract by validated HPTLC densitometric method coupled...

Abrus precatorius Linn. is recognised as Indian liquorice, valued for its medicinal properties, containing apigenin, a promising therapeutic scaffold, however, its quantification is lacking. Hence, this study established and validated the high-performance thin layer chromatography method for quantitation of apigenin from methanolic extract of A. precatorius leaves (APM). The optimised mobile phase was toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (6:3:1, v/v/v) for separation of apigenin. Apigenin was also confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry. The developed method was sensitive with correlation coefficient (r² = 0.998) with limit of detection and quantification of 12.66 and 38.38 ng/band respectively. APM extract contained 0.559% w/w apigenin. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed apigenin with m/z value of 271.3. This method has been reported for the first time and proven accurate, precise and specific. As apigenin is a promising therapeutic agent, the established method can be used for quality control and be a template for drug formulation.