RP-HPLC Determination of Rouhuoside and Icariin in Herba Epimedii of Different Species and Part Used

Objective: In order to determinate the content of rouhuoside and icariin in Chinese traditional medicine-Herba Epimedii, several samples from different species and their different parts were examined. Methods: Nineteen samples from 3 species and their different parts were dealt with by HPLC with BECKMAN COULTER TMC_(18) analytical column. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water(25: 75). The flow rate was 1. 0mL·min~(-1). The UV detection was set at 270nm. Results: The linear response range from 0. 19642-1. 9642μg of rouhuoside(r=0. 99912, n=10);0. 19335-1. 9335μg of icariin(r=0. 99900, n=10). The content of rouhuoside is higher than that of icariin in Epimedium wushanense, while the content of rouhuoside is lower than that of icariin in Epimedium brevicornum and Epimedium sagittatum. Conclusion: As far as both the contents of rouhuoside and icariin in Epimedium wushanense to be concerned, it was obviously different in different parts used(leave, root and stem)of one whole plant. Rouhuoside was the main component in Epimedium wushanense, and icariin was the main component in Epimedium brevicornum and Epimedium sagittatum.