Pharmacognostic Studies and HPLC Analysis of Roots of Helicteres isora (L.)

Background: The juice of roots of Helicteres isora Linn. has been widely used as an antidiabetic in traditional medicine. Objective: The present study deals with pharmacognostical studies and determination of oleanolic acid from the roots of H. isora by new HPLC method. Materials and methods: Detailed study of morphological, microscopical characteristics, physicochemical parameters and phytochemical screening of roots were carried out. The sapogenins were isolated from the roots of H. isora. RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for estimation of oleanolic acid from the sapogenins of roots of H. isora. Results: Detailed quality control parameters of roots of H. isora were reported. Total content of oleanolic acid was 0.075%w/w from roots of H. isora determined by HPLC. Conclusion: The present study is useful for accurate identification and authentication of roots of H. isora. The HPLC method for determination of oleanolic acid from the roots of H. isora is efficient, precise, reliable and sensitive and can be adopted for routine analysis.