High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) Profiling of Methanolic Extract of Shatavari ksheerapaka (milk decoction of dried tuberous roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd.)

Abstract

High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) is a refined chromatographic technique offering improved resolution and precision for the analysis of plant-based formulations. It is extensively used for identifying and quantifying phytochemical constituents in herbal drugs, supporting their standardization and quality control. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.), a key Ayurvedic medicinal plant, contains diverse bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic properties. Shatavari ksheerapaka (milk decoction of dried tuberous roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd.), a classical milk-based Ayurvedic formulation, is widely used in clinical practice; however, its analytical standardization using modern techniques remains inadequate. The present study aimed to establish an HPTLC fingerprint profile of methanolic extract of Shatavari ksheerapaka. Chromatographic analysis was performed on a 5 × 10 cm pre-coated silica gel 60 F254 plate, with separation achieved using a mobile phase consisting of toluene, ethyl acetate, and hexane in the ratio of 6:3:1. Following chromatographic development, the plate was analyzed at 366 nm. The methanolic extract of Shatavari ksheerapaka exhibited four distinct peaks, with a total area of 14838.1 AU at 366 nm, indicating the presence of distinct phytochemical constituents. This chromatographic profiling offers a comprehensive overview of the chemical composition of the formulation, contributing to its quality evaluation and offering a reliable reference for future research.