Metabolic profiling of Elaneer Kuzhambu, a polyherbal formulation through LC-QTOF-HRMS

Elaneer Kuzhambu (EK), an anjana yoga which is a polyherbal formulation used extensively in the treatment of ophthalmic conditions like Netravrana (corneal abrasions/ ulcer/ neovascularisation), Arma (pterygium) and Timira (immature cataract). It consists of the ingredients like Darvi (Berberis aristate), Hareetaki (Terminalia chebula), Vibeetaki (Terminalia bellirica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Nalikera jala (water of Cocos nucifera), Madhu (honey), Sasi (Cinnamomum camphora), Saindhava (Rock salt). The efficacy of Elaneer Kuzhambu in clinical trials related to ocular conditions like cataract shows positive results. Studies on Elaneer kuzhambu indicating its organoleptic characteristics, pharmacognostical, phyto-chemical analysis, HTPLC have been conducted for the standardisation of the drug. There is a scarcity of data on the detailed analysis of the active phytochemical components and its probable mechanism. Hence, this novel approach employs the analysis of Elaneer Kuzhambu by an advanced analytical technique, LC-QTOF-HRMS for the profiling of its components. Aim of this study is to identify the active components of Elaneer kuzhambu and to elucidate the probable action of these components through literary search. The components of Elaneer Kuzhambu were analysed through LC-QTOF-HRMS (Liquid Chromatography - Quadruple Time-of-Flight - High Resolution Mass Spectrometry) through Sophisticated analytical instrument facilities (SAIF) at IIT-Madras, Chennai. It was performed in ESI+ mode, whereby 2 μL of extracted and filtered with filter paper size 0.22 μm, the EK sample was injected into a thermostated (40 °C) ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 1.7 μm 2.1×50 mm, column with the run time 12 minutes. The obtained results were matched with free online / commercially available component databases like SciFinder, GNPS, MetFrag and PubChem with respect to their corresponding retention time. Total eight components of Elaneer kuzhambu were identified. Among them, 3 of components were unknown and the remaining are Bellaric acid, Apigenin-7-O-glucoside, Karachine, Gentiotrifloroside, Ellagic acid glucoside dimer with the retention time 0.49, 0.91, 4.76, 5.48, 5.97 respectively. They exhibit pharmacological properties like antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative etc. which may be beneficial for the treatment ophthalmic conditions like Netravrana (corneal abrasions/ ulcer/ neovascularisation), Arma (pterygium) and Timira (i