Analysis of anthraquinones in Rumex crispus by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A micellar electrochromatographic method was performed for the analysis of the pharmaceutically important anthraquinones from the root of Rumex crispus. The separation of 1,5-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone ( 1); 1,3,5-trihydroxy-6-hydroxymethylanthraquinone ( 2); 1,5-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-7-methylanthraquinone ( 3) was achieved in 6 min using a running buffer containing 10 mmol/l sodium borate, 50 mmol/l sodium dodecylsulfate, and 25% acetonitrile at pH 10.6. The method is simple, rapid, and reproducible.