DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF STABILITY INDICATING RP-HPLC METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF BERBERINE AND CURCUMIN IN AN AYURVEDIC FORMULATION

A simple, accurate, precise, robust stability indicating RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for simultaneous estimation of berberine and curcumin in an ayurvedic formulation. The two markers were resolved using a C-18 column using as the mobile phase methanol: water (pH 3 adjusted using acetic acid) in the ratio 75:25 V/V at a flow rate of 1mL/min. Retention times of berberine and curcumin were 2.58 ± 0.2 min and 8.5 ± 0.2 min, respectively at 358 nm. Linear response was observed in the concentration range of 2 – 8 ppm for berberine and 5 – 40 ppm for curcumin, with correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.994 and 0.998 for berberine and curcumin, respectively. The developed method was applied for quantitation of markers in marketed and in-house formulations of Gruhadhoomadi Churna. This method can also be used to evaluate formulations containing berberine and curcumin as markers, thus conforming to the need of ensuring quality and safety of herbal medicines.