Abstract

Standardization of marketed ayurvedic formulations containing Shatavari and Ashwagandha

Author(s): N.P.Rajebhosale, A.A.Malpure, V.V.Kadlag, V.S.Kasture, V.M.Aurangabadkar

A sensitive, simple, precise, accurate and reproducible High performance thin layer chromatographic method has been established for quantification of active compound in marketed ayurvedic formulations containing Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) and Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha). The total saponins (shatavarin) and withanolides were isolated from root powder, purified and characterized by various physical methods and spectral analyses like chemical test, UV, and IR. HPTLC finger printing of isolated active compounds was used for identification and quantitation of marketedAyurvedic formulations. The selectedAyurvedic formulations [G, R, G, and C] were extracted with methanol and known quantities of the extracts were spotted on pre-coated silica gel 60 G54 HPTLC plates. The plates developed in solvent system comprising of ethyl-acetate: methanol: water: diethylamine (10:6:5:0.1) and the absorptionwasmeasured at 254 nm using the CAMAGÂ’sHPTLC densitometer. The calibration curves of active compounds were linear over the range 4-12µg/µl for total saponins and 2- 10µg/µl for withanolides. The Ayurvedic formulations G and R contained 57. 85 mg and 86.2 mg of total shatavarin respectively, and withanolides present in formulationsG and Cwere found to be 50.25mg and 69.4mg per 5 g of each formulation. The method was precise as indicated by low CV (2%). The recovery studies indicated reproducible results. The proposed HPTLC method can be used for a routine quality control analysis of marketed Ayurvedic formulations containing Shatavari and Ashwagandha.