Abstract
A novel HPTLC method has been developed for the estimation of glabridin in Licorice rhizome and its Unani polyherbal formulation (Qurs-e-Gul). Separation was achieved on silica using toluene, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate in equal ratios. A compact, well resolved peak of glabridin with R-F value 0.56 +/- 0.02 was observed. Calibration curve revealed a good linear relationship with r(2) value of 0.993 between the peak area and concentration in the range of 25-500 ng spot(-1). The proposed method was validated as per the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The stability assessment was carried out by studying degradation of glabridin stressed by acid, base, oxidation, thermal, and humidity. Photodegradation was also carried out after keeping the drug in sunlight, dark, and in UV lights. The method proposed can be used for routine determination of glabridin in crude drugs and in herbal formulations containing Licorice as one of the ingredients, for quality control as well as for stability testing with high precision, accuracy and a wide range of linearity.