LC separation and determination of five diester-diterpenoid alkaloids in the unprocessed and processed aconite roots

A reliable liquid chromatographic method with photodiode array detector (DAD) was developed and validated for simultaneous separation and determination of five diester-diterpenoid alkaloids in the aconite roots. The separation was successfully performed on a Zorbax Extend-C-18 column with a mobile phase gradient prepared from methanol and ammonia solution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1). Good linearity (r > 0.999) was observed over the concentration ranges investigated, and intra-day and inter-day precision were high. The mean recoveries of five components ranged from 90.45 to 102.63% and relative standard deviations were always < 5%. The validated method was successfully used for simultaneous determination of the five diester-diterpenoid alkaloids of unprocessed and processed aconite roots. The quantitative method provided a scientific basis for safety assurance and clinical application of aconite roots.