Development and Validation of RP-HPLC Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Curcumin and Glycyrrhizic Acid from Polyherbal Formulation

Abstract

Polyherbal formulations have gained significant attention due to their synergistic therapeutic effects and improved safety profiles. Curcumin and Glycyrrhizic acid are two bioactive compounds widely recognized for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. This review consolidates pharmacological insights and analytical strategies for simultaneous estimation of these compounds, emphasizing RP-HPLC as a robust technique. Challenges in standardization, method validation parameters, and future perspectives for quality assurance in herbal medicine are discussed.

Introduction

Polyherbal formulations are widely used in traditional and modern medicine. Two key bioactive compounds, Curcumin (from Curcuma longa) and Glycyrrhizic acid (from Glycyrrhiza glabra), exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Curcumin is a yellow crystalline powder, poorly water-soluble, used in capsules, tablets, and topical products, while Glycyrrhizic acid is a yellowish-brown sweet-tasting compound, soluble in hot water and alcohol, with hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects.

Analytical challenges exist due to the complex phytochemical composition of polyherbal formulations. While multiple methods exist for individually analyzing Curcumin (HPLC, UV, TLC, HPTLC, LC-MS/MS) and Glycyrrhizic acid (mainly HPLC and HPTLC), no validated methods for simultaneous estimation have been reported. Reverse Phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) is considered the most suitable technique for simultaneous quantification, with validation requiring assessment of accuracy, precision, linearity, specificity, and robustness.

Conclusion

Simultaneous estimation of Curcumin and Glycyrrhizic acid is essential for quality assurance in polyherbal formulations. RP-HPLC offers a robust platform for achieving accurate and reproducible results. Standardization and validation as per ICH guidelines will ensure therapeutic reliability and regulatory acceptance.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Himanshu Suthar , Dr. Deepa Patel . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.