An approach to develop a high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method in the present study has been made for quantitative estimation of marker compound oleanolic acid in the roots of Cissampelos pareria Linn. var hirsuta (family Menispermaceae). Oleanolic acid was estimated in saponin rich fraction prepared from the powdered roots of C. pareira. Oleanolic acid was separated using silica gel 60 F254 HPTLC plates using toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (7:3:0.3, %v/v) as mobile phase. The determination was carried out using densitometric absorbance-reflection mode at 530 nm for oleanolic acid in visible mode. The concentration of oleanolic acid in the saponin rich fraction was found to be 0.1316 % mg/mg. The method was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision and specificity according to ICH guideline.
