HPCL Separation and quantitative determination of valepotriates from Valeriana kilimandascharica.

Valepotriates, mainly isovaltrate and valtrate, have been separated and quantitatively estimated by reversed-phase HPLC in the leaves, flowers, stems and rhizomes of VALERIANA KILIMANDASCHARICA. The isovaltrate/valtrate concentration reaches a maximum of 5.89% in the leaves, 3.84% in the flowers, 3.17% in the stems and 5.15% in the rhizomes. A micro Bondapak C (18) column using MeOH-H (2)O mixtures as eluant is suitable for a baseline separation of isovaltrate, valtrate, acevaltrate and baldrinal at UV 254 nm in 15 min and didrovaltrate and IVHD-valtrat at UV 208 nm in 10 min. Relative standard deviation for quantitative determinations is approximately 1.5% for valepotriate contents of 1%. This method is adaptable for routine analysis of crude extracts.