Development and validation of an HPTLC method for analysis of zerumbone, the anticancer marker from Zingiber zerumbet

Abstract

A simple, accurate, and rapid high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for quantification of the anticancer marker zerumbone in different parts of Zingiber zerumbet Smith has been established and validated. Chromatography was performed on aluminium foil-backed silica gel 60 F 254 HPTLC plates with the binary mobile phase ethyl acetate-hexane 1.5:8.5. Ultraviolet detection was performed densitometrically at the maximum absorbance wavelength, 250 nm. Regression analysis data for the calibration plot showed there was a linear relationship between response and concentration in the range 60-260 ng with a regression coefficient of 0.9997. The limits of detection and quantification were 20 and 60 ng, respectively. The instrumental precision and repeatability of the method were found to be 0.80 and 1.08%, respectively. Recovery ranging from 97.85 to 100.12% indicated the excellent accuracy of the method. The developed HPTLC method was successfully used for analysis of the marker in different parts of Z. zerumbet , and the maximum zerumbone content (1.81%) was found in the rhizome.