Development and validation of a rapid capillary zone electrophoresis method for the determination of aconite alkaloids in aconite roots.
BACKGROUND
Aconites, with aconite alkaloids as the major therapeutic and toxic components, are used for the treatment of analgesic, antirheumatic and neurological symptoms. Quantification of the aconite alkaloids is important for the quality control of aconite-containing drugs.


OBJECTIVE
To establish a validated capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method for the simultaneous determination of six major alkaloids, namely aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, benzoylaconine, benzoylmesaconine and benzoylhypaconine, in crude and processed aconite roots.


METHODS
The CZE method was optimised and validated using a stability-indicating method. The optimised running buffer was a mixture of 200 mm Tris, 150 mm perchloric acid and 40% 1,4-dioxane (pH 7.8) with the capillary thermostated at 25 degrees C.


RESULTS
Using the optimised method, six aconite alkaloids were well separated. The established method showed good precision, accuracy and recovery. Contents of these alkaloids in crude and processed aconites were determined and it was observed that the levels of individual alkaloids varied between samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The developed CZE method was reliable for the quality control of aconites contained in herbal medicines. The method could also be used as an approach for toxicological studies.
Song
Jing-Zheng
JZ
Chinese Medicine Laboratory, Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine, Rm 220, No. 2 Biotech. Ave, 12 Miles, Tai Po Road, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.
Han
Quan-Bin
QB
Qiao
Chun-Feng
CF
But
Paul Pui-Hay
PP
Xu
Hong-Xi
HX
D000157:Aconitine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D031841:Aconitum / Q000737:chemistry*; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000032:analysis*; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D000470:Alkaloids; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C479202:benzoylhypaconine; C047307:benzoylaconine; C058309:hypaconitine; C019470:mesaconitine; C085283:benzoylmesaconine; D000157:Aconitine