Validated simultaneous high-performance thin-layer chromatographic analysis of ursolic acid,<i>β</i>-sitosterol, lupeol and quercetin in the methanolic fraction of<i>ichnocarpus frutescens</i>

Abstract

A high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the simultaneous quantitative determination and validation of ursolic acid, β-sitosterol, lupeol, and quercetin in the methanolic fraction of Ichnocarpus frutescens L. was developed for the first time. For achieving good separation, a mobile phase of toluene‒ethyl acetate‒formic acid (8:2:0.1, v/v) was used. Densitometric determination was carried out at 500 nm for ursolic acid, 550 nm for β-sitosterol, 650 nm for lupeol, and 310 nm for quercetin in reflection–absorption mode, and the calibration curves were linear in the range of 100–600 ng per spot. During the analysis, the methanolic fraction of I. frutescens L. showed the presence of ursolic acid (0.34%), β-sitosterol (0.27%), lupeol (0.27%), and quercetin (0.26%). The proposed method is simple, precise, specific, and accurate. The obtained data can be used for routine analysis of reported biomarkers in crude drug and extracts. The simultaneous quantification and method validation of these biomarkers have not yet been reported in I. frutescens L., which may be utilized for the proper standardization of the plant.