HPTLC analysis of Withaferine A from a herbal extract and polyherbal formulations

Abstract

Withania somnifera has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for treatment of depression and inflammation, and as an aphrodisiac. It contains many phytochemicals such as Withaferine A, withanine, anahygrine, tropine, and withanolides. Of these, withaferine A is considered to be the most active compound. Withaferine A was estimated in herbal extract and polyherbal formulations by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). As there is no official HPTLC protocol for quantitation of the above phytochemicals, an attempt was made to quantify withaferine A in herbal extract and polyherbal formulations produced from Withania somnifera. Precoated silica gel G (aluminium backed) plates were used as stationary phase and toluene:ethyl acetate:formic acid (50:15:5) was used as mobile phase. Detection and quantification were performed by densitometry at λ 213 nm. The linear range was 1 μg to 3 μg. This HPTLC method was found to be reproducible, accurate, and precise.