COMPARATIVE CHROMATOGRAPHIC PROFILING OF DIFFERENT PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS MADE FROM ROOTS OF DESMODIUM GANGETICUM (L) DC(PRISNIPARNI) USING HIGH PERFORMANCE THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract

Introduction: Ayurvedic literature emphasizes diverse pharmaceutical processes, including variations in solvents, heating techniques, and preparation media to optimize therapeutic benefits. Interestingly, the same plant part is often used in different dosage forms based on the disease context, indicating a strategic approach to enhance efficacy. Prisniparni is documented in classical Ayurvedic literature as a versatile drug, administered as formulations such as kwatha, ksheerapaka, and churna. The physicochemical properties of plant secondary metabolites influence disease modulation, and different preparation methods may cause structural modifications in these metabolites. However, such transformations remain underexplored. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical variation in Prisniparni rootwhen subjected to four preparation methods: methanolic extract, decoction (kwatha), traditional ksheerapaka, and a modified ksheerapaka made by mixing dried decoction powder with skimmed milk powder. Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. (Leguminosae), the accepted source of Prisniparni in Kerala, was used as the source drug in this study.

Materials and Methods: High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography was employed to generate fingerprint profiles. Chromatographic separation was analyzed by comparing Rf values and visualizing bands under UV 254 nm and UV 366 nm. Results: Each formulation exhibited a unique set of bands, indicating substantial variation in phytochemical content. While some bands were common across preparations, others were formulation-specific, suggesting chemical transformation during the preparation process. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that pharmaceutical processing significantly alters the composition of chemical constituents in Prisniparni root. These findings support the Ayurvedic principle that preparation methods influence therapeutic potential. Further pharmacological investigations are essential to correlate these chemical differences with bioactivity and therapeutic relevance.