Simultaneous determination of phytochemical constituents in Paeonia lactiflora extracts using the HPLC-UV method

Qantitative analysis of six compounds: (+)-catechin, benzoic acid, gallic acid methyl ester, paeonol, paeoniflorin, and albiflorin from Paeonia lactiflora extracts was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography and an ultraviolet (UV) detector, following different extraction methods.A reverse-phase column was used in a gradient elution system, and UV detection was performed at 280 nm.The results showed that the quantity of paeoniflorin was the highest in ethanol and water extracts (73.89 and 57.87 mg/g, respectively) among the six compounds.This study contributes a good analysis method for the contents of P. lactiflora and would be propitious for developing medicines and functional foods.