Development and validation of a rapid high performance liquid chromatography – photodiode array detection method for estimation of a bioactive compound wedelolactone in extracts of Eclipta alba

Following optimization of extraction, separation and analytical conditions, a rapid, sensitive and simple reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array (HPLC-PDA) method has been developed for the identification and quantification of wedelolactone in different extracts of Eclipta alba. The separation of wedelolactone was achieved on a C18 column using the solvent system consisting of a mixture of methanol: water: acetic acid (95: 5: 0.04) as a mobile phase in isocratic elution mode followed by photo diode array detection at 352 nm. The developed method was validated as per the guidelines of the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH). Calibration curve presented good linear regression (r2>0.998) within the test range and the maximum relative standard deviation (RSD, %) values for intra-day assay were found to be 0.15, 1.30 and 1.1 for low (5 μg/mL), medium (20 μg/mL) and high (80 μg/mL) concentrations of wedelolactone. For inter-day assay the maximum RSD (%) values were found to be 2.83, 1.51 and 2.06 for low, medium and high concentrations, respectively. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated to be 2 and 5 μg/mL respectively. Analytical recovery of wedelolactone was greater than 95%. Wedelolactone in different extracts of Eclipta alba was identified and quantified using the developed HPLC method. The validated HPLC method allowed precise quantitative analysis of wedelolactone in Eclipta. alba extracts.