Qualitative and quantitative determination of seven triterpene acids in Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. by high‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and mass spectrometry

Abstract Introduction The leaves of Eriobotrya japonica are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, chronic bronchitis, coughs and skin diseases. No method is currently available, however, by which to assess the quality of the crude herb on the basis of the quantitative profile of the main bioactive triterpene acids present. Objective To develop a simple and accurate HPLC‐UV (photodiode array detection) method for the simultaneous quantification of seven triterpene acids in the leaves of E. japonica . Method Separations were performed on an Ultimate XB‐C 18 column by gradient elution using methanol:formic acid. Analytes were identified by HPLC coupled with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry experiments. The quantitative HPLC‐UV method was validated for linearity, precision, accuracy, and limits of detection and quantification. Results Calibration curves presented good linear regression ( r > 0.9992) within test ranges. The precision and accuracy of the method were acceptable with overall intra‐day and inter‐day variations of 1.35–3.30 and 1.98–4.43%, respectively, and overall recoveries of 95.60–102.67% for the seven compounds analysed. The method was successfully applied to the quantification of seven triterpene acids in eleven samples of E. japonica collected from different provinces of China. Conclusion The developed assay could be considered as a suitable quality control method for E. japonica . Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.