Studies on the Constituent of Corydalis sps. I. : Application of Thin-layer-and Gas-Chromatography to Corydalis Alkaloids

For the purpose of determining the original plant of commercially available "Engosaku"(Corydalis sp.) and its quality, gas chromatography and thin-layer chromatography were emploved. The Rf values of 14 corydalis alkaloids were determined by thin-layer chromato-graphy using 5 different solvent systems, and the retention time of 5 Corydalis alkaloids in gas chromatography was estimated. According to the paterns, or these chromatograms, the commercially available crude drugs originating from different parts of Asia were divided into two group. Such a differentiation was obtained by the observation of color of drugs ; bright yellowish and dark pale dusky yellow. The former includes Chinese Corydalis which was identified as Corydalis bulbosa D.C. cultivated in China, containing much more alkaloids than the latter. The latter was identified as Korean Corydalis and Chineee Corydalis which contains smaller amount of the total alkaloid. The latter Korean and Chinese Corydalis might be considered to be of the same origin or closely related.