New Insights into the Quality Control Strategies of Inula racemosa Hook. F. (Pushkarmula) and Saussurea lappa Decne. (Kuth): Medicinal Crops of Alpine Himalaya

Adulteration and illegal trade of Saussurea lappa in the name of Inula racemosa is a major issue. Therefore, accurate and easy methods are required to control malpractice and define authenticity. The current study is focused on authenticating and defining quality control methods for I. racemosa and S. lappa. Reference and market samples of S. lappa and I. racemosa were used to develop methods, including high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Photo Diode Array (UPLC-PDA). Multivariate analysis was used to define variations among samples. Costunolide, dehydrocostus lactone, isoalantolactone and alantolactone were used to develop and validate the quality control method. Phytochemical investigations and filter paper reagent tests clearly differentiate between Saussurea and Inula. HPTLC and GC-MS fingerprints were found significant to certify both species. From a quality control perspective, the UPLC-PDA method was found significant for the separation of targeted molecules. Altantolactones were found higher in I. racemosa while costunolides in S. lappa, whereas market samples closely resembled with Inula species and confirmed as I. racemosa. The current findings suggested that filter paper tests could be useful for farmers, traders and industries to check the authenticity of S. lappa and I. racemosa. Chemical fingerprints and UPLC-PDA method were found sufficient to define quality of both the species.