ASSAY OF CARDINOLIDES IN ACOKANTHERA SPECTABILIS

Abstract

A colorimetric method of assay of Acokanthera spectabilis Hook. F. (Apocyanaceae) grown in Egypt is proposed. The method is based on measuring the colour produced by the interaction of Baljet's reagent with the cardenolides of the plant. The method was applied for the estimation of total cardenolides content of different organs of the plant in different seasons. A correlation was found between the results obtained by the proposed method and those obtained by biological method of digitalis. Quantitative TLC was employed for the estimation of individual major cardenolides in different organs of the plant. The contents of these different cardenolides were also estimated in the leaves and seeds of the plant at different time of the day