Validated HPTLC method for quantification of epicatechin in extracts of leaves of Cassia fistula Linn

This paper describes a new, simple, precise, and accurate HPTLC method for quantification of (-)-epicatechin in the leaves of Cassia fistula. The leaves were separately extracted with methanol and water by both maceration and hot extraction (Soxhlet apparatus). Chromatographic separation of the drug was performed on aluminium foil silica gel 60 F sub(254) plates with toluene-ethyl acetate-formic acid-methanol 20:12:4:4 (v/v) as mobile phase. Densitometric evaluation of the separated zone was performed at 280 nm. Epicatechin in the extract was satisfactorily resolved with R sub(F) 0.22 plus or minus 0.02. The accuracy and reliability of the method were assessed by evaluation of linearity (200-800 ng per band), precision (method precision RSD 1.42% and instrumental precision RSD 1.12%), accuracy (98.12%), and specificity in accordance with ICH guidelines.