Simultaneous analysis by high performance liquid chromatography of hydrophilic compounds and lipophilic compounds (alkamides) from pharmaceutical preparations ofEchinacea purpurea root

Abstract

KeyWords Column liquid chromatography Echinacea purpurea Phenolic compounds Alkamides SummaryThe two major classes of compound (hydrophilic and lipophTITc) From Echinacea purpureo L. Moench, responsible for the TmmunestTmulatTng effect of the plant, have usually been determTned by two different methods. This paper describes simultaneous analysts by high-performanco liquid chromatography (HPLC) of hydrophilic compounds and lipophilic compounds (alkamides) from pharmaceutical preparations of Echinacea purpurea root.A linear binary gradient, at a flow of 1 m/rain 1 starting wth 1:9 acotonitrile water (both containing O. 1% orthophosphor~c acid) and ending with 8:2 acetonitrile water (both contain ing 0.1% orthophosphor~c acid) aflerSO min, was optimized for separation of the compounds.Hydrophilic compounds were separated in the first 25 min and the lipophilic compounds between 25 and 50 rain. The compounds were identified on the basis of correlation of retention times and spectral data. The external standard method was used For quantitatve analysts.

The Medicinal Chemistry of Echinacea Species

“…This agreed with the results from a HPLC-MS study of E. purpurea roots; however, caffeic acid was also identifi ed in the same analysis (Luo et al 2003 ). In another analysis of E. purpurea roots from Romania, the caffeic acid derivatives reported are cichoric acid , caftaric acid, echinacoside, and caffeic acid, whereas chlorogenic acid was not detected in this study (Gocan et al 2003 ). Both root and aerial parts of Echinacea plants are used medicinally.…”

“…These differences can be observed in different studies on different plants of the same species (Gocan et al 2003 ;Luo et al 2003 ;Cech et al 2006 ). Four caffeic acid derivatives [caftaric acid ( 33 ), caffeic acid, echinacoside ( 30 ) and cichoric acid ( 34 )] and seven alkamides were identifi ed in a hydroalcoholic E. purpurea roots extract (Gocan et al 2003 ). In another E. purpurea roots extract prepared with methanol-0.1 % phosphoric acid, four caffeic acid derivatives (caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and cichoric acid ) and eleven alkamides were identifi ed (70:30, v/v) (Luo et al 2003 ).…”

“…The parameters selected for the extraction methodology will affect the content or composition of the chemical constituents in the extract, resulting in a profound change in the intensity of peaks of the chemical profi le. These differences can be observed in different studies on different plants of the same species (Gocan et al 2003 ;Luo et al 2003 ;Cech et al 2006 ). Four caffeic acid derivatives [caftaric acid ( 33 ), caffeic acid, echinacoside ( 30 ) and cichoric acid ( 34 )] and seven alkamides were identifi ed in a hydroalcoholic E. purpurea roots extract (Gocan et al 2003 ).…”

“…Alkamides are lipophilic (fat-loving chemical compounds) while caffeic acid derivatives are hydrophilic (water loving, that is extracted with water). Several analyses included the two categories in the same chemical profi les (Gocan et al 2003 ;Luo et al 2003 ;Cech et al 2006 ), while most analyses of Echinacea species only focus on one category of chemical structure.…”

“…Most of these studies concentrate on the identifi cation of alkamides in E. purpurea root samples (Gocan et al 2003 ;Luo et al 2003 ;Cech et al 2006 ). Reverse phase C18 column chromatography with a mobile phase consisting of acidic aqueousacetonitrile solutions has been adopted to analyze ethanol-water extracts of Echinacea plants.…”