1Department of Pharmacognosy, Shree Chanakya Education Society's Indira College of Pharmacy, Tathawade, Pune- 411033, (M.S.), India. E-mail: sona.sgrspharma@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0002-2478-5135
2Department of Pharmacognosy, Shree Chanakya Education Society's Indira College of Pharmacy, Tathawade, Pune- 411033, (M.S.), India. E-mail: dmkannur@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0001-5995-3058
*Corresponding Author: Ms. Sonali Ankush Barke, Department of Pharmacognosy, Shree Chanakya Education Society's Indira College of Pharmacy, Tathawade Pune- 411033, (M.S.), India. E-mail: sona.sgrspharma@gmail.com
Boerhavia diffusa Linn. (Nyctaginaceae) (BD), commonly known as Punarnava, is a renowned medicinal plant extensively utilized in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as a rejuvenator (Rasayana) for its multifaceted therapeutic properties. Despite its widespread ethnomedicinal use, comprehensive phytochemical profiling using advanced analytical techniques remains limited. This study presents an extensive qualitative evaluation of BD extracts employing liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) in both positive and negative ionization modes.
To comprehensively identify and characterize the phytochemical constituents present in BD using high-resolution mass spectrometry, establish the chemical profile across different compound classes, and evaluate the complementary nature of positive and negative electrospray ionization (ESI) modes for comprehensive metabolite coverage.
The whole plant of BD was extracted using hydroalcoholic solvent. The extracts were analyzed using an Agilent LC-QTOF-MS system equipped with a Kromasil EternityXT C18 column (1.8 µm, 2.1 × 100 mm). Data acquisition was performed in both positive and negative ESI modes with mass range m/z 50-1200. Compound identification was achieved through database searching (Metlin Metabolites PCDL), molecular formula generation (MFG), and fragmentation pattern analysis.
A total of 619 compounds were identified from 1,387 detected features in the positive ionization mode. The identified compounds spanned diverse chemical classes including alkaloids (Cuscohygrine, Plantagonine, Conessine), flavonoids (Biochanin A, Calycosin), lignans (Liriodendrin, 8-Hydroxypinoresinol-8-glucoside), phenolic compounds (N-trans-Feruloyloctopamine, N-trans-Feruloyl-4-O-methyldopamine), steroid alkaloids (β-Solamarine, γ₂-Solamarine), xanthones, phospholipids, and various glycosides. The negative ionization mode revealed complementary detection of phenolic acids, organic acids, and certain flavonoid aglycones.
This study provides the most comprehensive LC-MS-based phytochemical profile of BD to date. The complementary nature of positive and negative ionization modes enhances metabolite coverage, with positive mode being superior for alkaloids and glycosides, while negative mode excels in detecting phenolic acids and acidic metabolites. The identification of 619 compounds establishes a robust chemical fingerprint for quality control and standardization of this important medicinal plant.
Keywords: Boerhavia diffusa L., Punarnava, LC-QTOF-MS, Metabolomics, Phytochemical profiling, Positive ionization, Negative ionization, Ayurvedic medicine
How to cite this article: Barke SA, Kannur DM. Comprehensive qualitative evaluation of Boerhavia diffusa Linn. using LC-MS by their Positive and Negative ionisation modes. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(11s): 462-477. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.11s.46
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None