[RP-HPLC determination of betulinic acid in Callicarpa macrophylla].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To establish an RP-HPLC method for determination of betulinic acid in Callicarpa macrophylla, a commonly used herbal in Yunnan. METHOD: A Kromasil-C18 column (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 microm) and a mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid (63 37) were used. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the UV detector wavelength was 205 nm. RESULT: Betulinic acid was well separated from other compounds in C. macrophylla. The content of betulinic acid in C. macrophylla from different origins showed apparent differences, the content of betulinic acid in C. macrophylla from Yunnan was the highest. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.016 6-0.332 mg x mL(-1) of betulinic acid with correlation coefficient 0.999 8. The average recovery of betulinic acid was 98.5%. CONCLUSION: The method is simple, accurate and reproducible, and is suitable for the quality control of C. macrophylla.