U. K. Patil

Herbal medicines are generally available as a mixture of more than one plant constituent. It is important to quantify the maximum possible number of markers in such herbal formulations by which the quality of the formulations may be assessed. TLC densitometric methods were developed using High performance thin layer chromatography for the quantification of the three marker compounds, umbelliferone, β-sitosterol and methoxsalen, from the polyherbal tablet formulation. Solvent systems were optimized to achieve best resolution of the marker compounds from the other components of the sample.  From the various solvent systems tried, the one containing toluene: ethyl acetate: methanol: formic acid (3: 3: 0.2: 0.8) gave best resolution of umbelliferone (Rf=0.35), β-sitosterol (Rf=0.47) and methoxsalen (Rf=0.6) in the presence of the other compounds in the polyherbal tablet sample and enabled the quantification of the marker compounds. The methods were validated in terms of precision, repeatability and accuracy. The method was found to be suitable for the quantification of these marker compounds in polyherbal formulation.

Cyclodextrins, the unique cyclic carbohydrates are successfully utilized as the potential complexing agents which form inclusion complex with insoluble drugs. “Inclusion complex”, this term refers to the dispersion of one or more actives ingredients in an inert carrier or matrix at molecular state. Now a day several drugs molecules are being introduced and many newer techniques have been developed for the formulation of dosage forms but when these drug molecules become more and more complex, sophistication has to find its way in the area of excipients, which are needed to formulate these drug substances optimally. One such versatile adjuvant, tailored with the help of advances in biotechnology and enzyme technology is cyclodextrin. Cyclodextrin are cyclic oligosaccharides which have been recognized as useful pharmaceutical excipients. The molecular structure of these glucose derivatives generates a hydrophilic exterior surface and a non polar cavity interior. Such cyclodextrin can interact with appropriate size drug molecules which lead to the formation of inclusion complexes. A comprehensive literature survey was made collect the rightful utilization of cyclodextrins as complexing, solubility enhancing agents and permeation enhancers. Key words: Inclusion complexes, Cyclodextrins, Excipients, Complexing agent, Hydrophilic exterior surface