Abstract

All the three plants were analysed in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-electrospray ionisation to identify plant active principles. Chromatographic separation of the compound of interest was achieved on C-18 column with detection in positive ion mode. The test showed that the most active principles found in Curcuma longa L. were curcuminoids mainly curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, and dihydrocurcumin. In Centella asiatica L. madecassic acid was found at ion/mz 490. While the active principle in Strobilanthes crispus L. is verbascoside, which was detected at ion/mz 625. As plant active principles were excellently determined, the plant bioactivities such as anti-cancer, antiviral and/or antibacterial could be explored and developed.

Key words: Centella asiatica L., Curcuma longa L., Strobilanthes crispus L., liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-electrospray ionisation (LC-ESI- MS), curcuminoids, madecassic acid, verbascosid.