A simple, reliable, and fast procedure for analysing alkaloids in goldenseal, one of the oldest medicinal plants used in herbal remedies
Agilent Technologies Europe has announced publication of a simple, reliable and fast procedure for analysing alkaloids in goldenseal, one of the oldest medicinal plants used in herbal remedies.
Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis L, is of current interest as a natural medicine.
Popular in Asia, herbal remedies are not regulated by the FDA in the USA, and the inconsistency of ingredients within them has fuelled growing concern among consumers about quality control.
Traditionally known as an anti-inflammatory and antibiotic, goldenseal has been used as a natural medicine to treat nasal congestion, cold, flu, and a variety of intestinal disorders.
Goldenseal plants are grown on farms for use as herbal supplements, but the quantity of its expected active components (berberine and hydrastine) has been inconsistent in commercial products.
A simple process for extracting and analysing these components, including the minor alkaloids (canadine, hydrastinine, berberastine, and canadaline) in goldenseal powder, tablets, capsules, and tinctures is highly desirable in evaluating product quality.
In the study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an Agilent Zorbax rapid resolution Eclipse XDB-C18 column was used to determine the key alkaloids in six lots of goldenseal root powder from three different manufacturers.
These tests showed high resolution and excellent peak shape of six alkaloids in less than 15 minutes - offering fast and reliable quantitation of alkaloids in goldenseal for effective quality control.
This method may be applicable to other berberine-containing plant roots.
For further information, request application note 'Extraction and HPLC analysis of alkaloids in goldenseal', Agilent publication number 5988-7136EN.
This note is available without charge from any Agilent sales office or its website (link above).
