Simultaneous determination of six alkaloids in Coptis chinensis of different regions by RP-HPLC

A reversed-phase HPLC method for simultaneous determination of gatrorrhizine, columbamine, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine and berberine in Coptis chinensis was developed. Analysis was carried out on an Xtimate C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with acetonitrile-30 mmol x L(-1) ammonium bicarbonate solution (including 0.7% ammonia and 0.1% triethylamine) by gradient elution. The detective wavelength was 270 nm, the column temperature was 30 degrees C, and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). By the above method, the linear ranges of gatrorrhizine, columbamine, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine and berberine were 0.85-16.96 (r = 0.9997), 1.25-24.96 (r = 0.999 5), 2.05-40.96 (r = 0.999 9), 3.65-72.96 (r = 0.999 9), 2.88-57.60 (r = 0. 999 8),13.25-264.96 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 6), respectively. The average recoveries (n = 6) of the six alkaloids were 101.6% (RSD 1.3%),102.5% (RSD 1.5%), 100.8% (RSD 1.9%),102. 6% (RSD 1.2%), 97.80% (RSD 1.3%), 99.01% (RSD 1.5%), respectively. The determined results demonstrate that there is a significant difference in the contents of six alkaloids and total alkaloids among the tested samples. The method is accurate, reliable and repeatable for simultaneous determination of gatrorrhizine, columbamine, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine and berberine in C. chinensis.