Development of a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography method for the standardization of an Ayurvedic formulation using berberine and ursolic acid

Giloy Tulsi tablet is an Ayurvedic preparation containing Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) and Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) and it is recommended for boosting the body’s immune response. This research work is about the marker-based standardization of this Ayurvedic preparation using high-performance thin-layer chromatography method. Standardization is based on the determination and quantification of the phytoconstituents berberine and ursolic acid present in Giloy Tulsi tablets. Separation was performed on pre-coated silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ plate as the stationary phase, with chloroform?acetone?formic acid (6:3.5:0.5, V/V) as the mobile phase. Identification and quantification were conducted densitometrically at 330 nm. The developed method resulted in good quality peak shape and enabled high-quality resolution of biomarkers. The R_F value for berberine (0.46?±?0.02) and for ursolic acid (0.68?±?0.02) in both reference standard and formulation were found to be comparable. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, intra-day and inter-day precisions, accuracy, and robustness. The limit of detection values were 91 and 153 ng/band for berberine and ursolic acid, respectively. The limit of quantification values were 175 and 465 ng/band for berberine and ursolic acid, respectively. Regression analysis of the calibration data revealed a good linear relationship between peak area response and concentration in the range 200?1000 ng/band for berberine (r²?=?0.995) and 500?2500 ng/band for ursolic acid (r²?=?0.9968). The accuracy of the method, determined by measurement of recovery at three different levels, was in the range 98?102% for both markers. These results are indication of reliability, reproducibility, accuracy, and precision of the method.