Simultaneous quantitation of eight active components in crude and processed Radix Scrophulariae extracts by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector

AIM: To determine eight major components in crude and processed Radix Scrophulariae, several samples from different arrears were examined. METHODS: The eight components were separated on an Agilent Zorbax Extend C18 column (250 mm 4.6 mm, 5 m) and detected by diode array detector (DAD). Mobile phase was composed of (A) aqueous phosphoric acid (0.03%, V/V) and (B) acetonitrile using a gradient elution. Analytes were performed at 30℃ with a flow rate of 1.0 mLmin-1 and UV detection at 280 nm and 210 nm. RESULTS: All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r2 0.999 2) within tested ranges. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.07-0.32 gmL-1 and 0.16-0.93 gmL-1, respectively. Overall intra-day and inter-day variations were less than 0.45%, and the average recoveries were 99.31%-100.19%, with RSD ranging from 0.29% to 1.28% for the analytes. CONCLUSION: The developed method can be applied to the intrinsic quality control of crude and processed Radix Scrophulariae.