High-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometric analysis of beta ecdysone from Achyranthes aspera extract: An antimalarial drug

The objective of the paper is to isolate beta ecdysone, an insect molting hormone in Achyranthes aspera seed extract by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Refined extract of A. aspera is obtained from Green chem herbal extracts and formulations, Bengaluru. Beta ecdysone is purchased from Sigma. HPLC analysis is performed by Shimadzu LC-20AD prominence gradient system and mass spectra is detected by Shimadzu LC-MS 8030 triple quadrupole mass analyzer. The result reveals that content of beta ecdysone in A. aspera extract was 0.05% w/w. Spectra generated for beta ecdysone standard in positive selective ion monitoring gave protonated molecule [M+H]⁺ 481 and in negative selective ion monitoring gave deprotonated molecule [M-H]^- 479. Mass value (m/z) of beta ecdysone is 480.65. Same mass of [M+H]⁺ 481 and [M-H]^- 479 in spectra generated for A. aspera extract eluted at retention time 12.5 min, confirms the presence of beta ecdysone. Beta ecdysone is found to be richly present in A. aspera seed extract further in vivo studies should be done to prove its anti-malarial activity to combat the vector borne diseases.