UPLC simultaneous determination of five active components in Cinnamomi Ramulus

A rapid UPLC method for simultaneous determination of protocatechuic acid, coumarin, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde in Cinnamomi Ramulus was established. The optimal conditions of separation and detection were achieved on an HSS T3 Column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.8 microm) eluted with a gradient of acetonitrile and 0.05% aqueous phosphoric acid, at a flow rate of 0.5 mL x min(-1), detected at 254 nm. The linear response ranges of protocatechuic acid, coumarin, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde were 0.359-3.59 mg x L(-1) (r = 0. 999 3), 2. 834-28.34 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 8), 0.574-5.74 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 8), 2.400-24.00 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 9), 32.57-325.7 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 8), respectively (n = 6). The mean recoveries (n = 9) of the five components were 96.7%-101.0%, RSD < 2.3%. The assay demonstrates that the method has adequate accuracy and selectivity to measure the concentration of protocatechuic acid, coumarin, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde in Cinnamomi Ramulus.