RP-HPLC determination of the berberine type alkaloids from the Rhizoma coptidis

A reversed-phase HPLC method was developed for the quantitative determination of Berberine type alkaloids form Rhizoma coptidis by 20% acetic acid. An ODS column was used, with the mobile phase consisted of methyl alcohol and borax-boric acid mixture ( 0.02 mol/L borax, adjust pH to 8.5 with boric acid ) (80:20),containing 0.2 mL two ethanol amine .the detecting wave-length is a 254 nm .Four kinds of berberine type alkaloids, berberine, berbamine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine can be separated completely. The regression equation is Y=25214.14X R=0.9993,and the average recovery is 99.485%. The method can be used for the research of Rhizoma coptidis and for the routine analysis of the crude drugs and Chinese traditional medicine containing berberine.