HPTLC Fingerprint Profiling of the Tuberous Roots of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.)

The increasing global acceptance of Ayurvedic medicines necessitates reliable quality control and standardization methods to ensure their safety, efficacy, and authenticity. Due to the complex phytochemical composition of herbal formulations, systematic analytical evaluation is essential for establishing their identity and consistency. High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) is a sensitive and reproducible analytical technique that facilitates efficient separation and visualization of bioactive constituents in plant-based preparations. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.) is a well-recognized medicinal plant widely used in Ayurveda for its diverse therapeutic potential. The present study aims to establish an HPTLC fingerprint profile of the methanolic extract of Shatavari choorna (powder), prepared from the dried tuberous roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd. A precoated silica gel 60 F 254 plate (5 × 10 cm) served as the stationary phase, while Toluene:chloroform:methanol (6:3:1) was used as the mobile phase and visualized at 425 nm under UV light. The HPTLC analysis revealed twelve distinct peaks with a total peak area of 54757.8 AU at 425 nm, indicating the presence of multiple phytochemical constituents. The established HPTLC fingerprint profile serves as a reliable reference for the identification, quality evaluation, and standardization of Shatavari choorna and provides scientific support for its future research and quality control applications.