A rapid and highly sensitive UPLC-QTOF MS method for quantitative evaluation of Nardostachys jatamansi using Nardin as the marker

Nardostachys jatamansi DC. is a highly reputed Medhya and Nootropic (Learning and Memory) Ayurvedic medicinal plant. Its use as herbal medicine singly and as an ingredient of multi‐herbal formulations is fast increasing. In order to authenticate and evaluate it quantitatively, its standardization is highly warranted with respect to a reliable marker. In this connection a rapid and highly sensitive UPLC‐QTOF MS method has been developed. The analysis was carried out on an Acquity BEH C₁₈ column with gradient elution of methanol–water and 3 mm ammonium acetate using QTOF mass detector in negative ionization mode. The method was validated over a concentration range of 9.76–156.25 ng/mL nardin. The calibration curve is linear with the correlation coefficient (r) and coefficient of determination (R²) were 0.9997 and 0.9995 respectively. The LOD and LOQ were 3.050 and 9.277 ng/mL respectively. The recovery of nardin in the range 96.36–111.13% achieved from spiked samples was consistent and reproducible. The inter‐day and intra‐day assay precision of the analytes over the entire concentration range was less than 5%. The developed method required only 4 min for chromatography to authenticate and quantify the marker, viz. nardin in N. jatamansi samples, in addition to the sample preparation time. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.