Development and validation of a high-performance thin-layer chromatography—densitometry method for the quantitative estimation of morphine in the classical Ayurvedic formulation Kamini Vidrawan Ras

Abstract

Kamini Vidrawan Ras is a classical Ayurvedic medicine, referred to in Bhaisjya Ratnavali, a book recognized by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of India. Its usefulness has been stated in erectile dysfunction, impotence, and premature ejaculation. Opium is the major ingredient of formulation which is highly addictive as it contains narcotic alkaloids (morphine, codeine, and thebaine). Opium is a natural product; hence, the morphine content varies from 4–21%. The aim of this study was to develop a simple, precise, rapid, and reliable high-performance thin-layer chromatography— densitometry method for the quantitative estimation of morphine in the tablets of the said Ayurvedic medicines. Aluminum-backed silica gel F254 (20 cm × 10 cm) was used as the stationary phase and ethyl acetate, methanol, and ammonia (85:10:5, v/v) as the mobile phase. The RF value for morphine was 0.36, and the quantitative evaluation of the bands over plates was performed in the reflectance—absorbance mode at 280 nm. The regression anal...