Abstract

In the present study, an attempt has been made to develop a high-performance thin layer chromatography fingerprinting of gallic acid, piperine and curcumin from an Ayurvedic formulation, Dekofcyn tablet. Chromatographic separation was achieved on the plate pre-coated with silica gel 60F²⁵⁴ as the stationary phase. The solvent system consisted of toluene:ethyl acetate:formic acid:glacial acetic acid in the ratio (5:3.5:1:1 v/v/v/v) respectively. The retardation factor value was calculated at 0.35 (±0.02), 0.66 (±0.02) and 0.89 (±0.02) for gallic acid, piperine and curcumin respectively. Densitometric analysis was carried out in the isoabsorptive mode at 295 nm. The regression analysis was carried out in the range of 100-700 ng/spot for gallic acid and piperine, 400-1600 ng/spot for curcumin and the regression coefficient for all three markers was found to be 0.99 respectively. Validation of the method was performed according to international conference on hominization guidelines Q² (R1). This method can also be used to evaluate other formulations containing these markers as one of the constituents, thus conforming to the need for ensuring the quality of an Ayurvedic formulation.