Comparative HPTLC Fingerprint Analysis of Nisha Kanda Churna, Amalaki Phala Churna and the Combination of Nisha Kanda Churna with Amalaki Phala Swarasa

High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting is a rapid and reliable analytical technique widely employed for the authentication, quality assessment and standardization of herbal drugs and formulations. The present study was undertaken to establish and comparatively evaluate the HPTLC fingerprint profiles of Nisha kanda churna (Curcuma longa L.), Amalaki phala churna (Phyllanthus emblica L.) and the combination of Nisha kanda churna with Amalaki phala swarasa. Methanolic extracts of the samples were subjected to HPTLC analysis and their chromatographic profiles were evaluated based on the number of peaks, Rf values and peak characteristics. Distinct chromatographic profiles were obtained for each sample. Nisha kanda churna exhibited 12 distinct peaks with a total peak area of 30,709.6 AU at 425 nm, whereas Amalaki phala churna showed 7 distinct peaks with a total peak area of 105,498.1 AU at 254 nm and 15 peaks with total peak area of 73,821 AU at 366 nm. The combination sample exhibited 12 characteristic peaks with a total peak area of 70,610 AU at 425 nm. Curcumin and gallic acid were used as reference standards for chromatographic comparison. The HPTLC fingerprint profiles generated in the present study provide characteristic chromatographic profiles that may serve as reference profiles for the comparative quality assessment and chromatographic characterization of Nisha kanda churna, Amalaki phala churna and their combination. The findings contribute to the chromatographic characterization of the studied Ayurvedic preparations and may serve as reference data for further quality assessment and phytochemical investigations.