Densitometric high-performance thin-layer chromatographic fingerprinting method for the determination and quantification of plumbagin in Plumbago zeylanica L. roots

A high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method has been developed for the quantitative determination and validation of plumbagin in the methanolic fraction of Plumbago zeylanica. For achieving good separation, the mobile phase of toluene‒ethyl acetate (9:2, V/V) for plumbagin was used. Densitometric determination of plumbagin was carried out at 270 nm in reflection/absorption mode; the calibration curves were linear in the range of 100‒600 ng/spot. During analysis, the methanolic fraction of P. zeylanica L. showed the presence of plumbagin. The method is specific, simple, precise, and accurate. The obtained data can be used for the routine analysis of the reported biomarkers in crude drugs and extracts. The quantification and the method validation of these biomarkers have not yet been reported in P. zeylanica which can be utilized for the proper standardization of the plant.