COMPARATIVE ARJUNIC ACID ANALYSIS BY HPTLC STUDY OF ARJUNA KWATHA PREPARED BY USING VARIOUS KWATHA TECHNIQUES

Kwatha Kalpana is a fundamental pharmaceutical dosage form in Ayurveda, widely used as a base for multiple formulations. Variations in preparation techniques such as water proportion, heating duration, and extraction methods may significantly influence phytochemical composition and therapeutic efficacy. The present study aimed to comparatively evaluate the effect of different Kwatha preparation techniques on the qualitative and quantitative presence of Arjunic acid in Arjuna Kwatha using High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). Authenticated Arjuna bark was processed and Kwatha was prepared using four techniques: conventional method (16 and 8 parts water), time-based method (1–4 hours boiling), Soxhlet extraction (60°C, 80°C, 100°C), and pressure cooker method (30 minutes). A total of ten batches were analyzed. Pharmaceutical parameters such as time, fuel consumption, and yield were recorded. HPTLC fingerprinting and quantification were performed using Arjunic acid as a marker compound. Results showed maximum Arjunic acid content in Soxhlet extraction at 100°C (0.0181%), followed by the conventional method with 8 parts water (0.0166%). Time-based heating showed gradual increase in marker content, while the pressure cooker method provided moderate yield with minimal time and energy consumption. The study concludes that Kwatha preparation technique significantly influences quantitative marker content while maintaining qualitative phytochemical consistency.