Improved RP-HPLC method for analysis of isoquinoline alkaloids in extracts of Chelidonium majus

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for analysis of isoquinoline alkaloids in extracts of Chelidonium majus L. Samples were extracted with acidic methanol and the extracts were purified by solid-phase extraction on Supelclean LC-18 cartridges. Optimized conditions resulted in high recovery and reproducibility. Simultaneous determination of protopine, chelidonine, coptisine, sanguinarine, and berberine was performed by HPLC on a C-18 reversed-phase column. Use of the Luna C18(2) new-generation silica-based stationary phase and 14.7:18:67.3 (v/v) acetonitrile-methanol-30 mM ammonium formate, pH 2.80, as mobile phase resulted in excellent peak shapes. Validation proved the repeatability of the method was good and recovery was satisfactory. Lower limits of detection were 0.2 ng for coptisine, 0.4 ng for sanguinarine, and 0.5 ng, for protopine, chelidonine, and berberine.