Simultaneous determination of eleven alkaloids in Corydalis decumbens by HPLC with diode-array detection

A high-performance liquid chromatography—diode-array detection method was developed and validated to determine simultaneously eleven major alkaloids in Corydalis decumbens (Thunb.) Pers. The alkaloids detected were corlumidine, protopine, coptisine, tetrahydrojatrorrhizine, palmatine, berberine, sanguinarine, papaverine hydrochloride, tetrahydropalmatine, bicuculline, and corydaline. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C-18 column with a mobile phase composed of A (0.2% acetic acid solution, adjusted with triethylamine to pH 5.0) and B (acetonitrile), with stepwise gradient elution. Ultraviolet diode-array detection was used; chromatograms were examined at the wavelength of 280 nm. The regression equations showed a good linear relationship between the peak area of each marker and concentration ( r = 0.9994–0.9999). The recovery values ranged between 93.66% and 100.54%. The method was fully validated with respect to detection and quantification limits, precision, reproducibility, and accuracy. The described high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was successfully used for the differentiation and quantification of the eleven major alkaloids in C. decumbens (Thunb.) Pers. and can be considered an effective procedure for the analyses of this important class of natural compounds.