HPLC fingerprint of alkaloid components of Sophora flavescens Ait.

Aim:To establish a sensitive and specific HPLC method for the systematic evaluation of qualitative and quantitative similarities of alkaloid components of Sophora flavescens Ait.from different origins.Methods:Alkaloid components of Sophora flavescens were separated on a Lichrospher ODS-2 (250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm) column with a linear gradient elution model using a mobile phase consisting of methanol-acetonitrile(1∶1) and 0.1% aqueous ammonia at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm and the column temperature 30 °C.The similarities of the corresponding HPLC fingerprints were evaluated by cosine (Cos θ) of vectors and relative Euclidean distance methods,in terms of the chemical constituents and the contents,respectively.Results:Ten common peaks were confirmed in the HPLC fingerprints of Sophora flavescens using oxymatrine as the reference peak.Similarity analyses indicated that no significant difference between different origins was found in the qualitative similarity although obvious quantitative similarity differences were observed.Conclusion:HPLC fingerprints show good repeatability.It can be used as a means to assess and control the quality of Sophora flavescens.