OBJECTIVETo establish a quantitative HPLC method for determination of protopine, palmatine hydrochloride, bicuculline and tetrahydropalmatine, in Corydalis decumbens.

METHODThe separation was performed on a ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18 column (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1) using mixtures of two solvents [A(20 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate)-B(acetonitrile)]: with a gradient elution. The column oven temperature was 30 degrees C and the detection wavelength was set at 280 nm.

RESULTThe 4 alkaloids were well separated by this HPLC method. Linearifies of protopine, palmatine hydrochloride, bicuculline and tetrahydropalmatine were good in the ranges of 1.44-46.0 (r = 0.999 4), 1.2640.2 (r = 0.999 8), 1.37-44.0 (r = 0.999 9), and 1.3643.6 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 9), respectively. The average recoveries were 98.2% with RSD 2.7% for protopine, 101.9% with RSD 2.5% for palmatine hydrochloride, 102.8% with RSD 3.5% for tetrahydropalmatine, and 98.8% with RSD 3.1% for tetrahydropalmatine.

CONCLUSIONThis method is proved to be convenient, reliable and accurate., and it can be used for quality control of C. decumbens.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drug Stability ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results