Comparative chromatographic analysis and pharmacodynamic activities of aqueous mushroom extracts (Pleurotus Tuber-Regium) with other antiglaucoma drugs

Abstract

Experimental studies have shown that aqueous extract of Pleurotus tuber-regium (PT) caused a reduction in steroid induced ocular hypertension in feline models and a contractile effect on isolated bovine iris. A comparative thin layer chromatographic study and Ultraviolet-Visible spectrophotometric analysis (TLC-UVS) of PT in comparison with known antiglaucoma drugs (0.5% betaxolol, 0.5% timolol maleate, 2% pilocarpine, and 0.005% latanoprost) was carried out to identify their similarities. Graded concentrations  (5mg/ml, 10mg/ml, 20mg/ml and 40mg/ml) of PT were spotted along with the drugs on prepared glass plates. Silica type 60 gel  served as the stationary phase while a solvent system of 50ml chloroform and 50ml absolute ethanol was used as the solvent system. On completion, comparison was made between the extracts and the drugs based on their migration speeds and retardation factors. Further analytic studies were carried out on the filtrates gotten from thin layer chromatography with an Ultraviolet-Visible
spectrophotometer. Thin layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis showed that the extracts compared favorably with the drugs under study, particularly with timolol maleate and latanoprost, as they had similar migration distances and retardation factors (R ). f Spectrophotometry revealed that the extract has an absorption spectrum within the ultra-violet wavelength range with a λmax of 260nm, this is comparable to the known absorption spectra of the anti-glaucoma drugs. PT may likely have similar substances with known anti glaucoma drugs. This is a preliminary evaluation of the crude aqueous extract of PT.

Key Words: Antiglaucoma drugs, Chromatographic Analysis, Pharmacodynamics, Pleurotus tuber-regium.