Separation of tanshinones from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge by high-speed counter-current chromatography using stepwise elution

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was successfully used for isolation and purification of tanshinones from the roots of Salvia miltior rhiza Bunge by stepwise elution. A set of three solvent systems and other e xperimental conditions were determined by analytical HSCCC. Using the optim ized conditions, the preparative HSCCC separation was performed on 50 mg of crude light petroleum extract yielding pure tanshinones of tanshinone IIA (7 mg), tanshinone I (3 mg) and cryptotanshinone (4 mg) all at purities of over 95% in a single run. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.