Optimization and validation of ursolic acid by HPLC in Ocimum sanctum

Ocimum sanctum (Holy basil) (Lamiaceae) is regarded as one of the most important plant used in Ayurvedic medicine which constitute ursolic acid (3-β-hydroxy-12-ursen-28-ic acid, CAS# 77–52–1), a pentacyclic triterpene acid with anti-cancer and anti-stress activities. The primary aim was to develop a simple and rapid reverse phase HPLC assay method for estimation of ursolic acid in Ocimum sanctum herb powders and extract. A HPLC system comprising of RP-C18 column (250×4.6mm, 5µm particle size) with solvent system of acetonitrile and water in isocratic mode and detection at 210nm using PDA detector. The optimized method with run time of 18 minutes was validated for LOD, LOQ, linearity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, system suitability and stability. The proposed method was found to be linear in the range of 0.25–500µg/ml, with correlation coefficient of 0.9997. The LOD was 0.125µg/ml and LOQ was 0.25µg/ml. The developed HPLC method was found to be precise, sensitive, accurate and reproducible, and may be used for quantitative estimation of ursolic acid in Ocimum sanctum herb powders and extracts.

.