Quantitative analysis of four alkaloids in Xianglian preparations by QAMS method

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibilities of the method, quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) for determination of four alkaloids in Xianglian preparations. METHOD: A HPLC method was developed to determine the contents of four alkaloids, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine and berberine in Xianglian preparations. Berberine was selected as the internal reference substance, and 3 relative correction factors to berberine were calculated. The contents of the four alkaloids in 16 batches of samples were determined by both external standard method and QAMS. The new method was evaluated by comparing the quantitative results with of the external standard method. RESULT: No significant differences were found between the quantitative results of four alkaloids in 16 batches of samples determined by the two methods. CONCLUSION: QAMS is feasible for determination of four alkaloids simultaneously, and the developed method can be used for quality control of Xiang Lian preparations.