HPLC method for the determination of ecdysterone in extractive solution from Pfaffia glomerata

A RP-LC method was developed and validated to quantify ecdysterone in extractive solution from subterraneous parts of Pfaffia glomerata. The analysis was performed using a RP-18 column with acetonitrile:water isocratic elution and the detection was carried out by UV at 242 nm. The standard curve for ecdysterone was linear over the range of 5.2–41.6 μg/ml (R2 = 0.9995). The extractive solution showed linear response in the range of 25.05–175.35 μg/ml (R2 = 0.9977). This method showed excellent repeatability (relative standard deviation, R.S.D. < 2.0%), intermediary precision (R.S.D. = 2.13%) and accuracy (101.04; R.S.D. = 1.51%). The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.036 μg/ml and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.110 μg/ml, demonstrating the sensitivity of the method. This assay can be readily utilized as quality controlled method for P. glomerata preparations.