Abstract:
Because of the increasing importance of Ficus bengalensis as a potent antidiabetic herbal drug, detailed chemical and analytical screening has been conducted on its bark. On the basis of high accumulation and significant anti-diabetic activity, the steroidal glycoside stigmast-5-en-3 beta-O-D-glucoside was identified as a bio-active marker, and a rapid HPTLC method has been established for its quantitative analysis. The method is highly reproducible and linear in the range 0.2-0.7 mu g. The method can be used for standardization of E bengalensis and its commercial preparations.