Objective: Mangifera indica L., a member of the genus of evergreen trees, is cultivated extensively in India. The various parts of the tree find its use in the Ayurvedic system of medicine against diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, dyspepsia, sprue and carbuncle. The major constituent of the stem bark and leaves of M. indica is mangiferin and the various activities associated with the stem bark or the leaves are reported to be due to this component. Mangiferin is currently of interest due to its activities like antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, gastroprotective, antibacterial, chemopreventive and many more. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the variation in the mangiferin content with time, in leaves of M. indica, throughout the year.Methods: Samples of M. indica leaves were collected every month for a period of one year and the content of mangiferin was assessed at these time points. Mangiferin was quantified using the HPLC method.Results: Seasonal variation was seen in the mangiferin content of the leaves. Highest content was seen during the month of April.Conclusions: Content of mangiferin changes with the different seasons and reaches its highest value during fruit ripening.Â
