A reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography method for the analysis of boswellic acids in Boswellia serrata.

An HPLC method for the separation of boswellic acids, the active constituents in Boswellia serrata resin has been developed. The first accurate determination of 6 individual acids was possible in the resin as well as in multi-component preparations. By using an acidic mobile phase, raised temperature and a 4 microm Synergi MAX-RP 80 A column the acids could be detected at levels as low as 0.9 microg/ml. The study of market products revealed significant variations in the content of these pharmacologically active compounds in commercial samples.