ABSTRACT
For carrying out the estimation studies of natural Vasaka leaves [Adhatoda vasica Nees] family Acanthaceae, leaves were subjected to authentication. The marketed formulations containing the leaf extract were obtained from local pharmacies. A literature survey reveals that no specific method has been developed for the determination of amount of vasicine and vasicinone in these complex traditional formulations. The vasicine content of various formulations varied from 86.4 micro g to 22.8 micro g/10 ml of the marketed formulations. This method offers greater selectivity for the determination of the active ingredients and limiting of its oxidative product vasicinone. At the operative chromatographic condition vasicinone was not detected in any of the formulations analyzed. The HPLC technique now allows routine analysis of vasicine containing complex traditional formulation. The technique is rapid, precise and accurate and can be applied to a variety of vasicine containing formulations