HPTLC-BASED QUANTIFICATION OF ANTIOXIDANT MARKER COMPOUNDS IN SAUSSUREA LAPPA C.B. CLARKE AND THEIR THERAPEUTIC RELEVANCE IN KABASURA KUDINEER

Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarke (Asteraceae), an important medicinal plant widely used in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a key ingredient of several classical formulations, including Kabasura Kudineer. Owing to its extensive therapeutic applications in inflammatory, respiratory, and infectious disorders, standardization and quality evaluation of this plant are essential. The present study aimed to estimate and quantify selected antioxidant marker compounds in Saussurea lappa roots using a High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) method. Methanolic extracts of authenticated Saussurea lappa root powder were analyzed alongside standard markers, including vitexin, gallic acid, mangiferin, kaempferol, rutin, quercetin, and rosmarinic acid. Chromatographic separation was achieved on silica gel 60 F254 plates using a mobile phase consisting of toluene: ethylacetate: formic acid: methanol (3:6:1.6:0.4 v/v/v/v). Densitometric scanning was performed at 254 nm and 366 nm. The method provided clear resolution with Rf values ranging from 0.08 to 0.91. Quantitative analysis revealed the presence of kaempferol (0.66%w/w), gallic acid (0.05%w/w), vitexin (0.02%w/w), and mangiferin (0.47%w/w) in Saussurea lappa extracts. This study provides a reliable HPTLC-based approach for phytochemical standardization and supports the role of Saussurea lappa in Siddha formulations, particularly Kabasura Kudineer.