Integrated Morphological and Phytochemical Analysis of Mesua ferrea L. and Calophyllum inophyllum L.: Implications for Authenticity in Herbal Practices
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32628/IJSRSET2512179Keywords:
Mesua ferrea L., Calophyllum inophyllum L., Nagkesar, Substitution, FEGSEM, FTIR, GC–MS, HPLC, HR LC–MS OrbitrapAbstract
This study evaluates the suitability of Calophyllum inophyllum L. buds as a substitute for Mesua ferrea L. stamens (Nagkesar), a valued botanical in Indian traditional medicine. Economic pressures and regional availability often lead to unverified substitutions, raising concerns about therapeutic consistency. To address this, both samples were subjected to comprehensive analyses using Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEGSEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and High-Resolution LC–MS Orbitrap. FEGSEM revealed distinct epidermal features in Calophyllum inophyllum L. buds, lacking the pollen morphology seen in Mesua ferrea L. FTIR analyses demonstrated notable differences in functional groups, with Mesua ferrea L. showing stronger signatures of flavonoid-associated hydroxyl groups. GC–MS profiling highlighted divergent chemical classes: Mesua ferrea L. was rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes, while Calophyllum inophyllum L. contained long-chain alkanes, esters, and aromatic hydrocarbons. HPLC and LC–MS Orbitrap confirmed the presence of Mesuaferrone A—a biflavonoid uniquely found in Mesua ferrea L. —absent in Calophyllum inophyllum. One-way ANOVA of LC–MS retention times across Alkaloids, Acids, and Flavonoids revealed a statistically significant difference, further supporting the chemical non-equivalence of the two species. These findings confirm that Calophyllum inophyllum L. is not a suitable phytochemical substitute for Mesua ferrea L. stamens. The study advocates for rigorous authentication and regulatory measures in traditional medicine to ensure product efficacy and consumer safety.
Downloads
References
R. Parul, S. K. Kundu, and P. Saha, “In vitro nitric oxide scavenging activity of methanol extracts of three Bangladeshi medicinal plants,” Pharma Innov, vol. 1, no. 12, pp. 83–88, 2013.
D. K. Ved and G. S. Goraya, “Demand and supply of medicinal plants in India,” NMPB, New Delhi & FRLHT, Bangalore, India, vol. 18, no. 85, pp. 210–252, 2007.
T. S. Kotmire and A. U. Jadhav, “Comparative study of Pharmacognosy of market sample of Nagkeshar (Mesua ferrea Linn) with genuine sample,” J Pharmacogn Phytochem, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 1542–1545, 2021.
S. Sundur, B. Shrivastava, P. Sharma, S. S. Raj, and V. L. Jayasekhar, “A review article of pharmacological activities and biological importance of Calophyllum inophyllum,” Int J Adv Res, vol. 2, no. 12, pp. 599–603, 2014.
H. C. Ong, T. M. I. Mahlia, H. H. Masjuki, and R. S. Norhasyima, “Comparison of palm oil, Jatropha curcas and Calophyllum inophyllum for biodiesel: a review,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 15, no. 8, pp. 3501–3515, 2011.
D. F. Susanto, H. W. Aparamarta, A. Widjaja, and S. Gunawan, “Identification of phytochemical compounds in Calophyllum inophyllum leaves,” Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, vol. 7, no. 9, pp. 773–781, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.apjtb.2017.08.001.
P. F. Stevens, “A revision of the Old World species of Calophyllum (Guttiferae),” Journal of the Arnold arboretum, vol. 61, no. 2, pp. 117–424, 1980.
S. Farida, R. I. Jenie, and N. Fakhrudin, “Calophyllum inophyllum: A Comprehensive Analysis of its Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Properties,” Majalah Obat Tradisional, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 121–142, 2024.
N. Saini, V. Lather, and S. K. Gahlawat, “Exploring phytochemicals from himalayan medicinal plants as novel therapeutic agents,” Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry-Anti-Cancer Agents), vol. 22, no. 9, pp. 1674–1698, 2022.
K. Zar Wynn Myint, T. Kido, K. Kusakari, H. Prasad Devkota, T. Kawahara, and T. Watanabe, “Rhusflavanone and mesuaferrone B: tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory biflavonoids extracted from the stamens of Mesua ferrea L.,” Nat Prod Res, vol. 35, no. 6, pp. 1024–1028, 2021.
B. Winkel-Shirley, “Flavonoid biosynthesis. A colorful model for genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, and biotechnology,” Plant Physiol, vol. 126, no. 2, pp. 485–493, 2001.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
