TLC-densitometric analysis of α-escin in bulk drug substance and in pharmaceutical dosage forms

• Main Authors: Dolowy Malgorzata, Pyka-Pajak Alina, Filip Katarzyna, Zagrodzka Joanna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sciendo 2015-09-01
• Series: Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences
• Subjects: α-escin; tlc; densitometry; triterpene compounds
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/cipms-2015-0069

A quite simple and rapid TLC-densitometric method for the identification of α-escin (Aescin) in bulk drug substances was developed. In so doing, different chromatographic conditions, including various mobile and stationary phases, were tested. A TLC densitometric determination of the examined compound was performed without using visualizing reagent, yet with the use of appropriate dipping reagents, in order to obtain reliable UV-densitometric measurements of α-escin - a substance which has weak chromophore groups. Herein, the application of a mobile phase containing n-butanolacetic acid-water in volume composition 30:7:13, the use of silica gel 60F254 plates with concentrating zone, and subsequent application of 10% sulphuric acid in ethanol or 5% vanillin in methanol/sulphuric acid, respectively, provided the best results in a TLCdensitometric study of α-escin. The described method was successfully employed to identify α-escin in commercial samples that were in an oral dosage form (tablets) and also in the form of gel containing 20 mg of α-escin.