Development of a rapid resolution liquid chromatographic method for simultaneous analysis of four alkaloids in Rhizoma coptidis under different cultivation conditions.

A sensitive and specific method using rapid resolution liquid chromatography coupled with UV-Vis detection was developed for fingerprint analysis of Rhizoma coptidis and simultaneous determination of 4 alkaloids: jatrorrhizine, coptisine, palmatine, and berberine. Samples of R. coptidis grown under different cultivation conditions and from different habitats were analyzed. The analysis was performed using a reversed-phase octylsilyl (C8) column and gradient elution. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 20 mmol/L KH2PO4. Each analysis was completed within 3.5 min. The method showed good linearity within test ranges of 4.75-47.50 microg/mL for jatrorrhizine, 20.60-164.80 microg/mL for coptisine, 18.07-180.73 microg/mL for palmatine, and 89.70-717.57 microg/mL for berberine. The method showed good precision, repeatability, and stability for quantification of the 4 alkaloids. The lower limit of detection was 0.19 ng for jatrorrhizine, 0.21 ng for coptisine, 0.15 ng for palmatine, and 0.14 ng for berberine. The lower limit of quantification was 0.57 ng for jatrorrhizine, 0.82 ng for coptisine, 0.55 ng for palmatine, and 0.27 ng for berberine. The overall recovery ranged from 96.30 to 104.10% for the 4 alkaloids. The method is accurate, rapid, and convenient, and it is suitable for routine quality control of R. coptidis.