Identification and determination of flavonoids in leaf, dried aqueous and dried hydroalcoholic extract of Artemisia absinthium by HPLC

The aim of this study was preparation of a standard extract from the leaves of Artemisia absinthium in order to add into a suspention formula as a laxative agent for use in animal husbandry. As approved by the commission E, the Artemisia absinthium preparations are used internally for loss of appetite, dyspeptic, liver, and gallbladder complaints. A. absinthium is commonly used in food industry in the preparation of aperitifs, bitters, and spirits and is of growing importance in agriculture and in pharmacology. The presence and determination of Quercetin and Isorhamnetin in the leaf extract of A. absinthium can justify its use in laxative preparations with plant origin. Artemisia absinthium leaves were air-dried and minced at room temprature and extracted using ethanol and water as solvents according to a maceration method. The aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts were dried up in vaccium. The flavonoids Quercetin and Isorhamnetin in leaves, dried aqueous, and hydroalcoholic extracts were identified and determined by means of a HPLC method. Quercetin and Isorhamnetin were present in 0.49 and 0.05 percent in leaves; 0.95, 0.08 percent in dried aqueous extract; 1.96 and 0.10 percent in dried hydroalcoholic extract respectively. In this study, we report the presence of Quercetin and its 3'-methyl ether derivative known as Isorhamnetin in the leaves of Artemisia absinthium and quantifying them individually by HPLC. This will permit an estimation to be made of the laxative effect in terms of the hepatoprotective activity expected from the plant extract in appreciable quantities. The dried hydroalcoholic extract contained the highest amounts of Quercetin and Isorhamnetin compared to either leaf extract or dried aqueous extract. The procedures in this work can serve as an efficient quality control facility for monitoring the finished products.