Physicochemical evaluation, nutraceutical composition and HPLC-UV fingerprint of Helicanthus elastica (Desr.) Danser (Indian Mango Mistletoe)

Background: Helicanthus elastica (Desr.) Danser (Loranthaceae) is less-known Indian medicinal mistletoe growing commonly on mango trees as hemiparsites. It is used to prevent abortion, in vescical calculi and kidney affections. These groups of plants are medicinally important as they are potential sources of anticancer, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial and antioxidant molecules. Materials and Methods: In the current study whole plant of H. elastica growing on mango trees is collected and subjected for physicochemical and nutraceutical analysis aiding standard methodology. The total ethanolic extract was fingerprinted with HPLC-UV. Results: Parameters like moisture content, total ash, water-soluble ash, acid-insoluble ash, alcohol-soluble and water-soluble extractive, successive extractive values by cold and hot extraction, heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, total bacterial count, total fungal count, presence of enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were tested under the head physicochemical examination. Determination of carbohydrate, fat, protein and fiber, calorific value, vitamins like niacinamide, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine and ascorbic acid, trace elements like iron and zinc were estimated. Conclusion: The physicochemical tests are used as parameters for routine analysis and quality control of the plant. The investigations revealed appreciable quantity of important vitamins and trace elements in the plant. The HPLC-UV fingerprint would be an efficient tool for the standardisation and quality control of the mistletoe extract.