Isolation, digital analysis, and semi-quantification of harmaline and harmine from Peganum harmala L.

Peganum harmala L. is a plant that, spontaneously grows and has many uses in different industries including pharmaceutical industry. Its seeds, rich in alkaloids, have numerous applications in pharmacology, and biochemistry. The aim of this work is to develop a method for extracting alkaloids to obtain substantial quantities of isolated harmine and harmaline, estimate their respective recovery yields, and determine their optical characteristics. Seeds are transferred to the Soxhlet apparatus, and three solvents were assayed (methanol, chloroform, and petroleum ether) for preliminary extraction. Subsequently, the optimal organic solvent (methanol) with the highest yield was used to extract alkaloids. These alkaloids were separated by thin-layer chromatography, using different proportions of mobile solvents (chloroform/methanol), and then placed under UV light. The spots are digitally analyzed by Autocad software. The average yield of the alkaloids extract was 4.5 ± 0.46% including 2.38% of harmaline and 2.11% of harmine. The ratio of harmaline to harmine was found to be 1.13 ± 0.07. From ten times 30 g of seeds each, the cumulative yield of isolated alkaloids was nearly 14 g. The optimal ratio for separation was determined to be 4/1 (v/v) of chloroform/methanol. The Rf value for harmaline was found to be 0.22, displaying a blue sky color, while for harmine, it was 0.71, exhibiting a navy-blue color. Alkaloids, specifically harmaline and harmine, were isolated from a mixture of total alkaloids. A substantial quantity of these compounds was prepared and proposed as material for studies focusing on pharmacology to treat infections and tumors, and biochemistry to diagnose diseases such as mucopolysaccharidosis.