HPLC-MS PROFILES AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF TRIPHALA FORMULATION

Abstract

Triphala, a polyherbal formulation in Ayuraveda, is composed of Terminalia chebula Retz., Terminalia bellirica Roxb., and Phyllanthus emblica Linn fruits. This formulation has been prescribed for chronic constipation, colon detoxification, and body rejuvenation. Standardization of Triphala formulation has been established to the quantitative determination of gallic acid. This study aimed to develop HPLC analytical method for determination of Triphala and modified Triphala formulations comparing with the individual herbs. HPLC analysis was performed on a C18 column and 1%acetic acid in water and acetonitrile in step gradient as the mobile phase. The peak areas were recorded at the wavelengths of 270 nm for gallic acid and rutin using photodiode array detector. HPLC profiles of Triphala and modified Triphala formulations were in similar patterns but relatively different from those of the individual herbs. Electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to identify the chemical compounds found in Triphala formulations. The results showed that ascorbic acid, gallic acid, corilagin, chebulagic acid and chebulinic acid were eluted in order. The gallic acid contents of Triphala and modified Triphala formulations were in the range of 2.66-2.87 %w/w comparing with 1.32-4.02%w/w of the individual herbs, while their rutin contents were in the range of 0.65-2.94 %w/w comparing with 0.61-2.61%w/w of the individual herbs.