TLC (Thin Layer
Chromatography) to construct chemical fingerprints of Ashwagandha (W. Somnifera)
– A Rejuvenating Herb
Khatak Sunita
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(3); 181-190;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/203rjbt1810190; (2025)
Abstract
Withania somnifera has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of depression
and inflammation and as an aphrodisiac. It contains many phytochemicals such as
Withaferin A, Withanine, Withanolides and Anahygrine. Withaferin ‘A’ being the most
active compound was estimated in herbal extracts and polyherbal formulation using
TLC in number of studies from Withania somnifera. Dried leaves and roots from each
of the 30 genotypes were extracted for phytochemicals using methanolic extracts.
Chromatograms were developed using solvent system consisting of chloroform: methanol
(90:10) for methanolic extracts and a mobile phase consisting of toluene: ethyl
acetate: formic acid (75:18:7) on precoated TLC aluminum plates Si60F254 for methanolic
leaf extracts from each of the 30 genotypes. Based on the TLC profile of phytochemicals
obtained from leaves and roots, all the 30 genotypes of ashwagandha were grouped
together in five major clusters irrespective of their geographical conditions.
The genotypes did not reveal a clear cut grouping or clustering of genotypes of
particular locations but were found to be interspersed with each other. The first
cluster revealed 15 genotypes from different locations namely, Udaipur (Raj.), Mandsaur
(M.P.) and that of Haryana showing relation among them. The TLC profile of root
phytochemicals resulted in grouping of various genotypes in five clusters and here
also the genotypes did not form distinct location specific clusters but were interspersed
with each other similar to earlier reports.
