A simple, rapid, and reliable TLC method for the separation and determination
of sanguinarine has been established. This intensively studied biologically active alkaloid has a wide range of
potentially useful medicinal properties, such as antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, and antitumoral activities. Sanguinarine has also been incorporated into
expectorant mixtures and has a strong bactericidal effect upon
gram-positive bacteria, particularly Bacillus anthracis
and staphylococci. These medicinal properties are due to
the interaction of sanguinarine with DNA. A fibre-optic-based
fluorescence instrument for in situ scanning was used for
quantitative measurements. The sanguinarine was determined over
the range 5–40 ng and a detection limit of 1.60 ng. The
method was applied to the quantification of sanguinarine in tissue
culture extracts of Chelidonium majus L.