High performance liquid chromatographic determination of Picroside I & II in Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth: A critically endangered plant of Himalaya

Biochemical investigations have revealed the presence of Picroside I & II as important bioactive components of Picrorhiza kurroa. A simple, high precision RP – HPLC method with photodiode array detection has been developed for validation and simultaneous determination of Picroside I, and II in Picrorhiza kurroa. Picroside I, and II vary in different samples collected from varying sites: Picroside I ranging between 2.74 – 4.91% and Picroside II between 3.12 – 5.39%. Lohagang pass site has been the most promising source for Picroside I, and II.