Qualitative and quantitative analysis of flavonoids in Saba Senegalensis P. leaves by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS and HPTLC-UV

Saba senegalensis P. is a tendrilled liana widespread throughout Tropical West Africa, from Senegal to Nigeria. Leaves are essentially used in traditional medicine of several countries as an antiseptic and wound healing agent. To provide major information about the chemical content of the leaves, we performed analysis of secondary metabolites by HPTLC-UV. On our samples collected in Mali, the polyphenolic profile is mainly represented by two flavonoids. Liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to electrospray ionsation (ESI) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used for the identification of these two compounds. Comparison of retention time, UV and MS spectral data of standard compounds allowed us to characterize unambiguously: quercitrin and myricitrin. Quantification was achieved by HPLC-DAD and myricitrin was the main component (average 80%) regardless the date of harvest. Moreover, we optimized a rapid quantitative analysis of quercitrin and myricitrin by thin-layer chromatography with densitometric detection. The results obtained were compared to those of HPLC-DAD ones. This present study described for the first time a qualitative and quantitative fingerprint of Saba senegalensis P. and could be helpful in the chemotaxonomic study of this genus and for medicinal purposes.