Comparative study of ambiguity in market collected ‘Sariva’ sample using HPTLC and antioxidant assay

The plant species 'Sariva' is highly noteworthy in Ayurveda due to its diverse range of applications. Vanillin is major active constituent reported in drug ‘Sariva’. Nevertheless, the task of recognizing and procuring genuine ‘Sariva’ species is hindered by the presence of other plant materials in market. These other plant materials may be mistakenly sold as ‘Sariva’ or mixed with genuine ‘Sariva’, making it difficult for consumers to obtain the authentic drug. This poses a challenge for both Ayurvedic practitioners and individuals seeking specific benefits of ‘Sariva’. An examination was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of selected samples of 'Sariva' from major markets in India by assessing their antioxidant capabilities, ability to scavenge free radicals, and qualitative assessment of vanillin as an active phytoconstituent. To analyse the concentration of vanillin, a mobile phase consisting of chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and formic acid in a ratio of 1.5:7:1:0.5 was used to achieve optimal separation. The spectral analysis was conducted at a wavelength of 254 nm, and the calibration curves exhibited a linear relationship within the range of 400–1800 ng per spot. The findings revealed that methanolic extract of ‘Sariva’ acquired from different markets exhibited a greater variation in the concentration of vanillin. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity of selected ‘Sariva’ extracts demonstrated considerable variation in antioxidant efficacy, suggesting the remarkable ambiguity in marketed samples.