Estimation of Amarogentin content and standardization of different samples of Chirata collected from crude drug markets of Nepal

Background: Amarogentin is a major chemical constituent of bitter principle found in Swertia chirayita (Roxb.ex Fleming) Karsten; family Gentianaceae. Chirata is an endangered species because of it’s over exploitation for pharmaceutical industries. These species are mainly found in the Himalayas and used for gastritis, diabetes, jaundice, urinary disorders, liver disorders, etc. The bitter principle as a main indicator of the medical herb, Nowadays, other species of Swertia are substituted and traded by the name of Chirata. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to estimate Amarogentin and to standardize Chirata samples collected from different markets of Nepal in 2013 A.D. Method and Materials: Different market samples of the species were analyzed for foreign matter, moisture content, extractive values; and bitter principles i.e. Amarogentin by using UFLC at Pacific Analytical Laboratory and Training Center, Lalitpur, Nepal. Result: The findings revealed that foreign matter, moisture content, extractive values; and bitter principles i.e. Amarogentin content varied with different market samples. Methonolic extraction yielded higher percentage of extracts than that of chloroform extraction. Samples including more root and stem, in general, contained higher Amarogentin than samples containing more leaves. The samples containing higher moisture content were lesser in Amarogentin content. The finding of Amarogentin of sample collected from Charikot, Dolkha was 3mg/100gm.Conclusion: In this study, the findings suggest that sample collected from local market of Charikot, Dolkha district was Swertia chirayita and was the best quality.