title: The determination of huperzine A in European Lycopodiaceae species by HPLC-UV-MS.
abstract: A rapid qualitative HPLC-UV-MS method was developed for the detection of huperzine A in Lycopodiaceae species. HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry experiments allowed the identification of the alkaloid and enabled targeted analysis of complex matrices such as herbal extracts. Huperzine A was detected by single ion monitoring of the pseudomolecular ion [M + H]+ at m/z 243.2. The alkaloid was also detected on TLC in a bioautographic enzyme assay with acetylcholinesterase to show the activity of the compound. Four Lycopodiaceae species collected in Switzerland were tested by these methods and Huperzia selago (L.) Bernh. ex Schrank et Martius was the only species found to contain huperzine A.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie et Phytochimie, Section des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Genève, Université de Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borloz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marston
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hostettmann
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D029542:Lycopodiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000032:analysis*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C050426:huperzine A