HPTLC Fingerprinting Reveals Leaf and Roots Phytochemical Variability in Developmental stages of Withania somnifera

Abstract Background Withania somnifera has been the foundation of numerous contemporary medicines today for treatment of various diseases. However, phytochemical variability profile is lacking in the root and leaf organs. Aim This study was aimed to elucidate the phytochemical profile in seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages of leaf and roots in W. somnifera using High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting. Methods The HPTLC with dual wavelength UV (254/366 nm) was used for the analysis of phytochemical variation in leaf and root methanolic extracts of W. somnifera. Results HPTLC chromatograms in 366 nm, 254 nm, and normal day light, seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages leaf and root exhibited bands variability. At 450 nm leaf HPTLC fingerprints in seedling stage showed five peaks with Rf values in the range of 0.42 to 0.90, vegetative stage with nine peaks of Rf values in range of 0.10 to 0.89, and reproductive stage with six peaks of Rf values in range of 0.30 to 0.92. In root showed six peaks with Rf values in range of 0.00 to 0.82 in seedling stage, ten peaks with Rf values in range of 0.00 to 0.96 in vegetative stage, seven peaks with Rf values in range of 0.01 to 0.91 in reproductive stage. In roots, higher peak areas were found at the reproductive stage (3.33%) compared to vegetative stage (1.65%). Conclusion The comparative HPTLC fingerprints of leaves and roots in W. somnifera presented phytochemical variability in leaf and root that varied with developmental stages.