Standardization of the Ayurvedic Formulation Haridra Khanda Using High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography-Densitometry

Abstract

The present study aimed to standardize the Ayurvedic preparation Haridra Khanda containing Curcuma longa as a major ingredient. Various physicochemical parameters such as alcohol-soluble extractive, water-soluble extractive, total ash, and acid-insoluble ash were determined according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Microscopic evaluation of the formulation revealed the presence of various diagnostic cell structures of C. longa. Trace metal analysis indicated the absence of toxic metals such as As, Cd, Hg, and Pb. High-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) fingerprint patterns at multiple wavelengths (254, 366, and 430 nm) identified the number of components present at each wavelength. The bioactive markers curcumin (C1), demethoxycurcumin (C2), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (C3) were quantified by using a simple, rapid, and efficient HPTLC method using plates precoated with silica gel 60F254 stationary phase. The instrumental precision [coefficient of variation (CV)] was 0.51, 0.64, and 0.79% and the repeatability of the method (CV) was 0.89, 1.11, and 0.95%, respectively, for C1 to C3. Limits of detection and quantitation for compounds C1 to C3 were 20, 20, and 15 ng and 50, 40, and 50 ng, respectively. Response was a linear function in the ranges of 50-350, 40-240, and 50-300 ng with correlation coefficient (r) = 0.9998, 0.9995, and 0.9992, respectively, for C1 to C3. The mean recovery values of 99.63 (C1), 98.65 (C2), and 98.97% (C3) indicated the excellent accuracy of the method. It is shown that HPTLC can be applied successfully for the marker evaluation of the formulation containing C. longa.