A Validated and Densitometric HPTLC Method for the Quantification of Withaferin-A and Withanolide-A in Different Plant Parts of Two Morphotypes of Withania somnifera

A simple, sensitive and accurate high performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has been developed for the estimation of withaferin-A and withanolide-A in different plant parts such as, leaf, root, stem and fruit of two morphotypes of Withania somnifera. HPTLC of W. somnifera methanolic extract was performed on Si 60 F₂₅₄ (20 cm × 20 cm) plates with toluene:ethyl acetate:formic acid (5:5:1), as mobile phase. Quantitative evaluation of the plate was performed in the absorption-reflection mode at 530 nm. The method was validated for precision, repeatability, and accuracy. The average recovery of withaferin-A and withanolide-A in two levels were 96.0 and 96.7%, showing the excellent reproducibility of the method. The calibration curves were linear for both in the range of 200–3,200 ng. The technique has been applied, for the first time, for the estimation of withaferin-A and withanolide-A in different parts of the two morphotypes of Withania somnifera. The method is simple, precise, specific, sensitive and accurate and can be used for routine analysis as well as for quality control of raw materials and herbal formulations.