Optimization of qualitative determination of Gratiola homeopathic tinctures by applying rapid horizontal TLC

Gratiola officinalis L., gratiola or hedge hossyp, is a perennial scrophulariaceae native to Europe as well as to Western and Central Asia. Ethanolic tinctures of Gratiolae officinalis herba are used in homeopathy in the treatment of inflammatorial gastrointestinal diseases [1, 2]. The homeopathic tincture of Gratiola officinalis L. is monographed in the current German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (HAB 2007) [2]. However, the described method for identification test is a common comparative TLC procedure that might be updated [3].

A rapid and simple TLC investigation applying the H-separating chamber, using different solvent systems containing e.g. dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, water at different proportions as mobile phase and diverse silica gel plates (e.g. Si 60, HPTLC-, RP-material) as stationary phase by applying the homeopathic directly is proposed. Only small amounts of material (plates 5×5cm, 10–20µl of homeopathic tinctures, 2–6µl of references (cucurbitacine E & I, apigenin, luteolin), 2ml of mobile phase) and time (3–5min) are required and can easily be applied as a routine analytical method. The described rapid TLC-analytical investigations may be proposed for an improved Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia monograph of Gratiola officinalis L.

References: 1. Brendler, Th., Grünwald, J., Jänicke, C. (Eds.) (2003) Herbal Remedies, medpharm, Scientific Publishers, Stuttgart

2. Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis (2006) Springer, Heidelberg

3. Deutsches Homöopathisches Arzneibuch (HAB 2007), Monograph Gratiola officinalis (Edition 2000)