Flavonoids from the flowers and leaves of Bergenia stracheyi

Abstract

The rhizomes and aerial parts of Bergenia stracheyi, a Himalayan wild flowering plant, have been used against various ailments by the local inhabitants of Kumaon and Garhwal. Although rhizomes of various Bergenia species have been chemically investigated before but present work has been carried out to assay the flowers and leaves  of Bergenia stracheyi, considering its medicinal significance. Present study reveals the isolation and characteriza- tion of flavonoids from anti-oxidant guided fractionation of aqueous (aq.) alcoholic extract derived from the flow- ers and leaves of Bergenia stracheyi. The diethyl ether fraction of the 70% ethanolic extract of the sample was assayed with DPPH spiking test using standard thin layer autobiography (SiO₂) method, after the alcohol was com- pletely evaporated. It was found to exhibit significant antioxidant activity. Seven major flavonoids were isolated and identified.