Estimation of phenolic compounds in leaf and fruits of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia D. Don): Their possible implications in human health

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia D. Don), a medicinal plant of temperate regions, occupies an important place in herbal industries. The fruits of this plant contain high amount of bioactive substances particularly vitamin A, B, C, E, K and flavonoids. Phytonutrients, such as phenolic acids and flavanoids protect the fruit from bacterial, viral and fungal infections and provide beneficial effect to human health as anti-oxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral agents. Phenolic acid contents of seeds, pulp, fruit residue and leaves of this plant were analyzed through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Different phenolic acids, viz. tannic, gallic, caffeic and ferulic acids were found in different parts of the plant. HPLC analysis indicated that seeds are rich in phenolic acids with tannic acid as maximum (3.41μg/g). In pulp, only tannic acid (72.25 μg/g) was found. However, in fruit residue the amount of the phenolic acids was drastically reduced, the tannic acid was completely absent whereas only small amounts of gallic, caffeic and ferulic acids were detected. In leaves only three phenolic acids were detected and tannic acid was maximum followed by caffeic and ferulic acids.