Quantitative analysis of triterpenes friedelan-3-beta-ol and friedelin in Maytenus aquifolium by high-resolution gas chromatography and high-temperature capillary gas chromatography

The quantitative analysis of the pentacyclic triterpenes friedelan-3-beta-o l and friedelin by high-temperature capillary gas chromatography (HT-CGC) a nd high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) is described, These compounds are markers of Maytenus aquifolium and M, ilicifolium (Celastraceae), plant s which show anti-ulcer activity and which are used medicinally in Brazil u nder the name "espinheira santa". HT-CGC was more efficient than convention al HRGC for the quantitative evaluation of triterpenes in the hexane extrac ts of leaves of M, aquifolium owing to the reduced retention times attainab le without loss of resolution, The flame ionisation detector response and d etection limits for both triterpenes using HRGC and HT-CGC were also establ ished, Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.