Volume :
1
Issue :
4
Abstract :
The present experimental study was carried through extraction and characterization of the hydrpalcoholic extract of leaf of Passiflora foetida. The leaf material was defatted further extracted with hydroalcohol, concentrated in vacuo. Column chromatography was adopted for the separation of phytoprinciple present in the Passiflora foetida. Column chromatragraphy was packed with silica gel by wet method, solvents were eluted over in the increasing order of polarity. Considerable amount of chloroform fractions were collected identified by thin layer chromatography, pooled, subjected to physical, chemical and spectral methods. Spectral techniques includes ultraviolet, H1 NMR and mass spectrum were used. Harmaline, a betacarboline alkaloid was identified and its structure was confirmed by spectroscopic methods (including ultraviolet, H1 NMR and mass spectra) as harmaline (7-methoxy, 3, 4 -dihydro betacarboline). Harmaline is found to have monoamaine oxidase inhibitory effect, useful for the antidepressant activity. The present method is simple, rapid, economic and effective method used for the separation of harmaline from the Passiflora. Synthetic approaches for the harmaline are costly and time consuming; hence this alternate procedure can be adopted for the plant source. Beta carboline alkaloid acts against stress and proved protective role in oxidative stress. The above specified reports evidenced scientifically that harmaline was present in Passiflora foetida and envisages additional research towards its other pharmacological action.