Identification of Centella Asiatica Extract in a Cosmetic Cream

Regulatory requirements call for the identification of any claimed active ingredient in a cosmetic formulation while quantification of its amount in the product is not mandated. Quality control of products requires certain analysis. They need to assure dependable results for better identification of ingredients in cosmetic products as well as raw materials. Active ingredients for Centella cosmetic cream include extracts of Centella asiatica. This ingredient is a plant extract that is profiled by chromatographic analysis. The analysis is also a suitable detection method to determine presence of this active ingredient in cosmetic products. Thin layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis, a traditional method of profiling the extract of Centella asiatica, was employed along with the new approach of using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The TLC and HPLC methods used for the Centella cream were developed based on the European Pharmacopoeia monograph for Centella asiatica plant material. A normal phase TLC analysis was performed using Silicagel as a stationary phase and a mobile phase containing water. An RP18 column and a linear gradient were used in the HPLC method. This study reports presence of asiaticoside in samples of Centella cream both by TLC and HPLC. The presence of madecassoside was also determined by TLC. This paper reports use of these chromatographic methods for the determination of Centella asiatica extract in a cosmetic cream and finds it applicable for quality control purposes of other cosmetic creams containing Centella asiatica.