Hippophae rhamnoides L.:: chromatographic methods to determine chemical composition, use in traditional medicine and pharmacological effects

There is an increasing interest in the usage of chromatographic methods on the analysis of chemical compounds present in Hippophae rhamnoides L. In this paper, the chromatographic techniques applied for the determination, separation and identification of chemical compounds of H. rhamnoides L. are reviewed. We examined the existing chromatographic methods based on separations by paper and thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis and also methods of detection by ultraviolet absorption, fluorescence, refractive index, electrochemical and mass spectrometry. Biological properties of the plant and its pharmacological effects and use in traditional medicine have also been reviewed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.