Quantitative analysis of safranal in saffron extract and nanoparticle formulation by a validated high‐performance thin‐layer chromatographic method†

Introduction – Safranal is an effective anticonvulsant shown to act as an agonist at GABA_A receptors. Nose to brain delivery via nanoparticle formulation might improve its brain delivery. A selective and sensitive analytical method is required for evaluation of safranal‐based novel drug delivery systems. Objective – To develop and validate a high‐performance thin‐layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the quantitative analysis of safranal as bulk, in saffron extract and in developed safranal‐loaded nanoparticle formulation. Methodology – Chromatographic separation was achieved on silica gel pre‐coated TLC aluminium plates 60F‐254, using n‐hexane:ethyl acetate (9 : 1, v/v) as the mobile phase. Quantitative analysis was carried out by densitometry at a wavelength of 310 nm. The method was validated and applied to detect related impurities, to analyse safranal in saffron extract and to evaluate safranal‐loaded nanoparticles. Results – Compact spots of safranal were observed at R_f value 0.51 ± 0.02. The method was linear (r = 0.9991) between 0.5 and 5.0 μg/spot. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were 1.08–2.17 and 1. 86–3.47%, respectively. The limit of detection was 50 ng/spot and the limit of quantification was 150 ng/spot. The method proved to be accurate (recovery 97.4–102.0%) and was selective for safranal. Evaluation of safranal‐loaded nanoparticle formulation demonstrated drug loading of 23.0%, encapsulation efficiency of 42.0% and sustained drug release following biphasic pattern. Conclusion – The present method is useful for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of safranal and safranal‐loaded nanoparticle formulation. It provides significant advantages in terms of greater specificity and rapid analysis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.