Stability-Indicating HPTLC Method for Concurrent Estimation of Triacontane and Beta-Sitosterol in Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.: A DoE Approach

Background: Triacontane and beta-sitosterol, though promising in various applications, face challenges due to low solubility and susceptibility to photosensitivity. Enhancing their effectiveness requires overcoming these limitations. Design of Experiment (DoE) coupled with High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) offers a potent approach to address these issues. Materials and Methods: The HPTLC method was optimized using a Box-Behnken Design (BBD), considering factors like saturation time, migration distance and application length. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to analyze critical risk factors' effects on the method. Validation parameters, including linearity, accuracy, precision, robustness, solution stability and forced degradation studies, were assessed according to ICH guidelines. Additionally, a different fractions of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. plant extracts was analyzed. Results: Triacontane and beta-sitosterol displayed distinct Rf values of 0.94±0.010 and 0.75±0.02 for triacontane and beta-sitosterol, respectively. The method demonstrated excellent linearity across the concentration range of 2-10 mg/band, with correlation coefficients of 0.999 triacontane and 0.9989 beta-sitosterol, respectively. Percentage recovery for both found within the range of 98.84-102.92%. This validated method offers specificity and robustness, ideal for routine quality control testing in pharmaceutical applications. Solution stability and forced degradation studies further supported the method's stability-indicating nature. Conclusion: The stability-indicating HPTLC method, developed and validated using DoE approach, proved suitable for simultaneous estimation of triacontane and beta-sitosterol in Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. plant extracts. Compliance with ICH guidelines, coupled with robustness and specificity, positions it as a valuable tool for quality evaluation and standardization of herbal formulations.