Rationalisation of extractive protocol by high-performance thin-layer chromatographic–densitometric quantification of berberine in multiple hydroalcoholic extract of Tinospora cordifolia stem

Drug development from medicinal plants by using various hydroalcoholic solvents has been an emerging trend in the last few decades. Utilisation of plant stem for this purpose is a one-time use and causes destruction of natural resources. Hence, it is necessary to optimize the hydroalcoholic composition for obtaining the best extraction as a pre-work of any drug development. Tinospora cordifolia stem which is a rich source of alkaloids is considered for the present study. The aim of the study was to find out the best suitable hydroalcoholic composition for the maximum extraction of the therapeutically active alkaloid berberine. For this purpose, hydroalcoholic solvents of different ratios were used and extracts obtained thereafter were examined by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) for the quantification of berberine in those extracts. A simple, precise and robust HPTLC method was developed and validated for the quantification of berberine in different hydroalcoholic extracts. The study revealed that 60:40 ( V/V ) alcohol–water compositions were the best suited for berberine extraction with the highest yield of 0.642%. On the basis of linear calibration curve for berberine in the range of 30–100 ng, an average recoveries of berberine for different hydroalcoholic extracts were in the range between 100.66 and 104%. From the quantification result, it may be concluded that alcohol–water (60:40, V/V ) may be considered for the development of drugs based on berberine.