Capillary zone electrophoresis as a tool for the quality control of goldenseal extracts

Abstract

The root extracts of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) are popular phytomedicines for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and upper respiratory tract infections. Here we describe a simple and fast capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method with ultraviolet detection at 225 nm for the quantification of the major goldenseal constituents, berberine and hydrastine, in herbal remedies containing goldenseal root extracts. Tritoqualine, an antihistaminic drug with a hydrastine-like phthalidisoquinoline structure, was applied as an internal standard. The running buffer was a 1:5 mixture of 500 mM ammonium acetate (adjusted to pH 3.4 with acetic acid) and methanol. Our newly developed CZE method was validated regarding limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification, linearity, accuracy and precision. For both berberine and hydrastine, the LOD was 1.0 microg/mL and the linearity was obtained between 2.5 and 500 microg/mL. Using our newly developed method, both the alkaloids could be analysed in herbal remedies containing goldenseal root extracts within 8 min.

Quality control of herbal medicines by capillary electrophoresis: Potential, requirements and applications

“…Unger et al [35] have elaborated on the use of CE for controlling the quality of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) extracts. Preparations of this herb are ingredients in many phytotherapeuticals to treat gastrointestinal disorders.…”

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensisL.)

“…26 The presence of certain other alkaloids (e.g., jatrorrhizine, coptisine, palmatine) in goldenseal samples indicates adulteration of the sample by other plants. 23 Limits of detection and quantitation for berberine and hydrastine with the capillary zone electrophoresis method were 1 μ g/mL and 2.5 μ g/mL, respectively, 27 whereas these values for a HPLC with photodiode array detection method were 0.1 μ g/mL and 0.4 μ g/mL. 28 Isocratic liquid chromatography with UV detection is a rapid screening method for isoquinoline alkaloids in goldenseal that can be easily confi rmed with LC/MS.…”

Recent Applications of Capillary Electrophoresis in the Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicines

“…Alkaloids are easy to be charged and suitable for separation by CZE. Some recent applications include the analysis of alkaloids in aconite roots [11], Kuan donghua [12], Ephedrae herba [13], Ephedra sinica [14] and goldenseal [15]. Song et al [11] established a validated CZE method for the simultaneous determination of six major alkaloids, namely aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine and benzoylhypaconine, in crude and processed aconite roots.…”

“…In the 69 samples collected from 10 different places, 15 characteristic fingerprint peaks of Dendrabium candidum were identified. Kuan donghua senkirkine, senecionine, retrorsine and seneciphylline 20 mM borate, 30 mM SDS and 20% MeOH at pH 9.1 UV (220 nm) [12] Ephedrae herba (±)-norephedrine, (±)-N-methylephedrine, (±)-ephedrine and (+)-pseudoephedrine 40 mM DM--CD in 75 mM Tris (pH 2.5) UV (195 nm) [13] Ephedra sinica and its medicinal preparation (±)-ephedrine, (±)-pseudoephedrine, (±)-N-methylephedrine and (±)-norephedrine DM--CD as modifier with TBAC as addition UV (210 nm) [14] Goldenseal root powder, Echinacea and goldenseal capsules berberine and hydrastine 500 mM ammonium acetate (pH 3.4) and MeOH (1:5, v/v) UV (225 nm) [15] Flos Lonicerae Cynanchum chinense R. Br. A sequential procedure based on a uniform design approach was successfully applied in the development of a CE fingerprint for Ginkgo biloba extract [38].…”