Separation and quantitation of isoquinoline alkaloids occurring in goldenseal

An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was devel oped for the analysis of hydrastinine, palmatine, berberine, hydrastine, an d canadine, all alkaloid components known to be present in goldenseal root powder. Optimized separation was achieved on a Zorbax Eclipse-XDB column at 30 degreesC using a mobile phase of 10 mM ammonium acetate/acetonitrile (7 0:30, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with ultraviolet detection at 235 n m. The method showed linearity for palmatine, berberine, hydrastine, and ca nadine at approximately 4-400 mug/mL, while hydrastinine was linear at appr oximately 4-80 mug/mL. Method precision and robustness were investigated. A n example of an HPLC analysis of goldenseal root powder extract is presente d here also. These studies indicate that the method described here is usabl e for analysis of goldenseal extracts.