高效液相色谱法分析元宝枫叶中儿茶素类物质

本文建立了元宝枫树叶中儿茶素种类及其含量的高效液相色谱(HPLC)测定方法。采用反相C18色谱柱,以甲醇/水(含0.5%乙酸)=25/75(V/V)为流动相,对没食子儿茶素(GC)、表没食子儿茶素(EGC)、儿茶素(C)、表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)、表儿茶素(EC)和没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(GCG)进行定性、定量分析;以甲醇/水(含0.5%乙酸)=35/65(V/V)为流动相,对表儿茶素没食子酸酯(ECG)和儿茶素没食子酸酯(CG)进行定性分析,柱温均为35℃,检测波长为278 nm,流速为1.0mL/min。结果表明:元宝枫叶中有EGC、EC和GCG,其它五种则无。EGC平均含量为0.0389 mg/g,方法精密度(RSD)为0.42%(n=6);EC平均含量为0.0289 mg/g,方法RSD为1.5%(n=6);GCG平均含量为0.284 mg/g,方法RSD为0.32%(n=6)。该方法简便、准确、分离效果好,为元宝枫叶开发成茶叶、饮料以及医疗保健品提供重要依据。     

In vivo metabolism study of rhubarb decoction in rat using high-performance liquid chromatography with UV photodiode-array and mass-spectrometric detection: a strategy for systematic analysis of metabolites from traditional Chinese medicines in biological samples

High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used for separation and identification of metabolites in rat urine, bile and plasma after oral administration of rhubarb decoction. Based on the proposed strategy, 91 of the 113 potential metabolites were tentatively identified or characterized. Besides anthraquinones metabolites, gallic acid, (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin metabolites were also detected and characterized in these biological samples. Our results indicated that glucuronidation and sulfation were the main metabolic pathways of anthraquinones, while methylation, glucuronidation and sulfation were the main metabolic pathways of gallic acid, (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin. Phase I reactions (e.g., hydroxylation and reduction) played a relatively minor role compared to phase II reactions in metabolism of phenolic compounds of rhubarb decoction. The identification and structure elucidation of these metabolites provided essential data for further pharmacological and clinical studies of rhubarb and related preparations. Moreover, the results of the present investigations clearly indicated the relevance and usefulness of the combination of chromatographic, spectrophotometric, and mass-spectrometric analysis to detect and identify metabolites.     

Vanillin-condensed tannin study using flow injection spectrophotometry

Studies involving the kinetic reaction between vanillin and condensed tannins were developed using a flow injection system with spectrophotometric determination. A solution of the monomeric compound (-)-epicatechin was used as the analytical standard. This compound was chosen due to its structure, which is similar to a polymeric unit of the condensed tannin present in plants. The results indicated that the vanillin-condensed tannin reaction is time dependent and affected by the degree of polymerization of the condensed tannin. The flow system allowed (-)-epicatechin to be used without overestimating the content of the tannin present in the forage legume, guandu (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), studied. A relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of <1% was found for a 4 h period work and allowed the determination of about 60 samples h(-1) with a detection limit of 1.05 mg l(-1) for condensed tannin. When compared to the manual vanillin procedure, the proposed approach can be used with various advantages.     

Method for the determination of catechin and epicatechin enantiomers in cocoa-based ingredients and products by high-performance liquid chromatography: single-laboratory validation

A single-laboratory validation study was performed for an HPLC method to identify and quantify the flavanol enantiomers (+)- and (-)-epicatechin and (+)- and (-)-catechin in cocoa-based ingredients and products. These compounds were eluted isocratically with an ammonium acetate-methanol mobile phase applied to a modified beta-cyclodextrin chiral stationary phase and detected using fluorescence. Spike recovery experiments using appropriate matrix blanks, along with cocoa extract, cocoa powder, and dark chocolate, were used to evaluate accuracy, repeatability, specificity, LOD, LOQ, and linearity of the method as performed by a single analyst on multiple days. In all samples analyzed, (-)-epicatechin was the predominant flavanol and represented 68-91% of the total monomeric flavanols detected. For the cocoa-based products, within-day (intraday) precision for (-)-epicatechin was between 1.46-3.22%, for (+)-catechin between 3.66-6.90%, and for (-)-catechin between 1.69-6.89%; (+)-epicatechin was not detected in these samples. Recoveries for the three sample types investigated ranged from 82.2 to 102.1% at the 50% spiking level, 83.7 to 102.0% at the 100% spiking level, and 80.4 to 101.1% at the 200% spiking level. Based on performance results, this method may be suitable for routine laboratory use in analysis of cocoa-based ingredients and products.     

Assessment of the biotransformation of the cardiotonic agent piroximone by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

14C-labelled piroximone was administered to rats at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. Of the total radioactivity administered, 74.9 +/- 7.9% (n = 4) and 87.8 +/- 1.7 (n = 3) were recovered in the 8-h urine collection after oral and intravenous administration, respectively. Two major metabolites, M1 and M2, were detected in methanol extracts and accounted for 7.1 +/- 1.2% (n = 4) (M1) and 4.3 +/- 0.4% (n = 4) (M2) in response to oral administration and 5.7 +/- 0.8% (n = 3) (M1) and 6.7 +/- 2.0% (n = 3) (M2) in response to intravenous administration. In addition, three minor metabolites were detected; M3 and M4 in the 8-h urine collection and M5 in the 12-h urine collection. Separation of piroximone and metabolites was achieved by high-performance liquid chromatography on a C18 column by gradient elution with 0.05 M ammonium acetate (pH 7) using 0-60% methanol over 20 min at a flow-rate of 1 ml/min, followed by isocratic elution with 60% methanol for 10 min. M1 and M2 were isolated by fraction collection following the addition of 1 mM tetrabutylammonium acetate in the mobile phase. Between each injection a column re-equilibration time of 45 min was necessary to achieve optimum collection of M1 and M2 fractions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of M1 provided evidence for a molecular structure consistent with isonicotinic acid methyl ester. Corroborative evidence for this identification was obtained by comparison with a synthetic standard. Isonicotinic acid is assumed to be the actual metabolite while esterification with methanol had occurred as a result of the work-up procedure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of oligomeric procyanidins from dimers up to the hexamer in hawthorn

An HPLC method using UV diode array detection was developed for analysing procyanidins qualitatively and quantitatively up to the hexameric level in hawthorn samples. The analysed compounds included procyanidin dimers B-2, B-4 and B-5, procyanidin trimers C-1, epicatechin-(4beta-->8)-epicatechin-(4beta-->6)-epicatechin and epicatechin-(4beta-->6)-epicatechin-(4beta-->8)-epicatechin, a tetramer D-1 and a pentamer E-1 both consisting of (-)-epicatechin units linked through C-4beta/C-8 bonds. The concentrations of two unknown tetramers and a hexamer F were also quantified. The oligomeric procyanidins (OPs) were specifically determined due to the development of a method for isolating them from hawthorn during sample preparation. The pattern of oligomeric procyanidins in the leaves, flowers and fruits was similar, but the concentrations varied depending on the part of the plant. The concentration in leaves was 1.6%, in flowers 1.2% and in fruits 0.2% of the dry mass. The method was validated with respect to repeatability, recovery, linearity, and sensitivity. The repeatability for the quantitative analytical method of all the OPs in leaves was 7.7%, in flowers 8.8%, and in fruits 12.3%. The recovery of the main OPs ranged from 91 to 97%. The correlation coefficients of calibration curves were between 0.997 and 1.000. The limits of quantitation for different procyanidin standards were 0.05-0.12 mg/ml, when 10 microl of each standard solution was injected into the HPLC.     

Isolation and identification of three urinary metabolites of retinoic acid in the rat.

After the intraperitoneal administration of high doses of ¹⁴C- and ³H-labelled retinoic acid ( 1 ) to rats three major urinary metabolites have been isolated in microgram amounts by use of column, thin-layer and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by mass spectroscopy and Fourier transform ¹H-NMR. spectroscopy as 2 (5-methyl-5-[2-(2,6,6-trimethyl-3-oxo-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)vinyl]-2-tetrahydrofuranone), 3 (5-[2-(6-hydroxymethyl-2,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)vinyl]-5-methyl-2-tetrahydrofuranone) and 4 (6-(6-hydroxymethyl-2,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-4-methyl-4-hexenoic acid). In these metabolites the tetraene side chain of 1 is shortened and the cyclohexene ring oxidized. The radioactivity of 2 and 3 accounted for about 10% (0.9% of the dose) each, metabolite 4 for about 6% (0.5% of the dose) of the total urinary radioactivity.     

Metabolism of 1-(3-[3-(4-cyanobenzyl)-3H-imidazol-4-yl]-propyl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-trifluoromethylbenzyl)thiourea (YH3945), a novel anti-cancer drug, in rats using the 14C-labeled compound

The metabolism of a novel anti-cancer agent, 1-(3-[3-(4-cyanobenzyl)-3H-imidazol-4-yl]-propyl)-3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-trifluoromethylbenzyl)thiourea (YH3945), was investigated in rats. Bile, plasma, feces, and urine were collected and analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system equipped with ultraviolet (UV), mass spectrometric, and radioactivity detectors. After intravenous dosing, mean radiocarbon recovery was 74.4 +/- 1.3% with 62.4 +/- 1.2% in the feces and 12.0 +/- 0.5% in the urine. Biliary excretion of the radioactivity for the first 24 h period was approximately 32%, suggesting that YH3945 is cleared by hepatobiliary excretion. YH3945 was extensively metabolized to 21 different metabolites including glucuronide conjugates, and structures of the metabolites were elucidated based on MS(n) and NMR spectral analyses. The major metabolic pathways in the rat were identified as O-demethylation of methoxypyridine, N-debenzylation of imidazole, and hydroxylation. Cyclic metabolites were also identified; concomitant demethylation in the methoxypyridine moiety and hydroxylation at the C16 position might destroy the chemical stability of the compound and subsequently lead to non-enzymatic cyclization. Cyclic metabolites were characteristic of YH3945, and a non-enzymatic reaction mechanism for the formation of cyclic metabolites was postulated.     

Der Metabolismus des Retinoids Ro 10-9359. Isolierung und Identifizierung der Hauptmetaboliten aus Plasma,Urin und Faeces des Menschen sowie aus der Galle der Ratte Synthese von drei Urinmetaboliten

The Metabolism of the Retinoid Ro 10-9359. Isolation and Identification of the Major Metabolites in Human Plasma, Urine and Feces Synthesis of Three Urinary Metabolites After oral administration of therapeutic doses of the ³H-labelled aromatic retinoic acid analog (retinoid) Ro 10-9359 (ethyl all-trans-9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-nonatetraenoate) to humans 75 and 15% of the ³H-dose were excreted within the first five days in the feces and the urine, respectively. Using chromatographic procedures including high pressure liquid chromatography 18 metabolites could be isolated from human urine. Their structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry and FT–¹H-NMR. spectroscopy. In these urinary metabolites the tetraene side chain of the parent compound Ro 10-9359 is shortened. The radioactivity of the identified urinary metabolites accounted for about 11% of the dose. Three urinary metabolites were synthesized. The main part of the radioactivity excreted within the first five days in the feces consisted of unchanged drug (60% of the dose). A smaller (amount 15% of the dose) could not be identified. The unchanged drug and a major metabolite, the corresponding acid, were found in human plasma. In an experiment with bile-duct cannulated rats the radioactively labelled retinoid Ro 10-9359 was injected intravenously. About 70% of the ³H-dose was excreted in the bile, within the first 48 hours. The whole radioactivity of the rat bile consisted of polar metabolites. No unchanged drug could be found. After enzymatic hydrolysis of the bile conjugates three metabolites were isolated. The main metabolite (49% of the i.v. dose) was a conjugate of the corresponding acid of the parent drug, already found as free compound in human plasma. The other bile metabolites (9 and 7% of the i.v. dose) had an intact side chain, too. An enterohepatic recycling of the bile metabolites was observed in the rat.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric study of deacetylation and oxidation of 2-acetylaminofluorene by rat liver epithelial cell lines upon cocarcinogen induction

Cell line cultures from postnatal and adult rats were incubated with 5-100 mumol/l [9-14C]-2-acetylaminofluorene. On incubation of 10 mumol/l, ring-hydroxylated metabolites, expressed as nmol hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (OH-2-AAF)/mg cell protein/24 h, were 9-OH- 1.28 +/- 0.37, 7-OH- 1.08 +/- 0.28 and 5-OH- 0.30 +/- 0.08, and deacetylated 2-AAF (2-AF) 1.20 +/- 0.18. For 5, 10, 50 and 100 mumol/l 2-AAF, the total production of OH-2-AAF (same units) and 2-AF (%) were, respectively, 0.86 (0%), 3.86 (35%), 17.8 (60%) and 35.03 (89%). On preincubation with phenobarbital (BP) or 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and then incubation of 10 mumol/l 2-AAF, the total synthesis of OH-2-AAF increased 1.9-fold (PB) and 2.5-fold (3-MC). In addition, four other OH-2-AAF (1-OH-, 3-OH- and two unknown OH-2-AAF) were produced and glucuronidation of all metabolites was induced and amounted to 57% of the total after PB and 75% after 3-MC preincubation. Metyrapone or alpha-naphthoflavone inhibition of BP or 3-MC, respectively, markedly affected the production of free and conjugated metabolites and, almost completely, the deacetylation of 2-AAF.     

Anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols from grapes and wines of Vitis vinifera cv. Cesanese d'Affile

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the amount of some potential health-promoting phenols in the grape of Vitis vinifera cv. Cesanese d'Affile and in wines made from these grapes. The analyses were performed using HPLC/DAD/MS. The accumulation of anthocyanins in the skin and flavan-3-ols in the seed was determined at different stages of ripening of the grape (i.e. green, veraison, middle stage of ripening, and complete ripening). Thirteen anthocyanins were identified in the skin at all stages of ripening, except the green stage. With regard to flavan-3-ols, (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, and (-)-epicatechin gallate were detected in all of the seed samples. The highest (+)-catechin content was found in the seeds of the green grape (2 mg g(-1) DW), whereas in the seeds from the completely ripe grape the content was more than ten times lower. The highest catechin content in the seed was correlated with the lowest anthocyanin content in the skin. The wines produced in the years 2004 and 2005 showed, at wavelengths of 520 and 280 nm, almost identical quali-quantitative chromatographic profiles, with high concentrations of anthocyanin 3-O-glucosides, low concentrations of acylated anthocyanins, and trace amounts of (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin.     

Epicatechin B-ring conjugates: first enantioselective synthesis and evidence for their occurrence in human biological fluids

Herein, the first enantioselective total synthesis of a number of biologically relevant (-)-epicatechin conjugates is described. The success of this synthesis relied on (i) optimized conditions for the stereospecific cyclization step leading to the catechin C ring; on (ii) efficient conjugation reactions; and on (iii) optimized deprotection sequences. These standard compounds have been subsequently used to elucidate for the first time the pattern of (-)-epicatechin conjugates present in four different human biological fluids following (-)-epicatechin absorption.     

Supercritical fluid extraction and HPLC determination of relevant polyphenolic compounds in grape skin

The polyphenols determined are: (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, rutin, quercetin and trans-resveratrol. Suitable conditions of supercritical fluid extraction were established using ethanol as a modifier of the polarity solvent (supercritical carbon dioxide). Final extraction conditions were: 20% v/v ethanol, 60degreesC, 250 bars and flow rate 2 mL/min. Static step time and dynamic step time were established using a selected grape skin sample. The extract was collected in water; the more polar polyphenols ((+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin) remain in solution but rutin, quercetin and trans-resveratrol precipitate in this medium, thereby the solution of the extracted polyphenols was filtered. (+)-Catechin and (-)-epicatechin were determined in the liquid fraction, while the solid fraction, containing rutin, quercetin and trans-resveratrol, was solved with ethanol/H20 (40:60). HPLC determination was carried out at C18 stationary phase, with ethanol/water/acetic acid as mobile phases and UV-visible diode array detection. Due to the significant differences between the polarity of the polyphenols, two different mobile phases were used. An ethanol/water/acetic acid (5:93:2) mobile phase was used to determine (+)-catechin (280 nm) and (-)-epicatechin (280 nm). On the other hand, rutin (254 nm), quercetin (254 nm) and trans-resveratrol (306 nm) were resolved using ethanol/water/acetic acid (40:58:2) as mobile phase. Instrumental parameters were optimised and analytical parameters obtained. The analytical method was validated and applied to five different varieties of Vitis vinifera from the geographical area of Valencia.     

Ga-labeling of immunoglobulin G with high specific radioactivity

To obtain radiogallium labeled immunoglobulin G with a high specific radioactivity for in vitro use, a 67Ga source was purified by extraction from 67Ga-gallium citrate with butyl acetate, and a 67Ga-labeling solution was produced. This solution was then used to label a deferoxamine-immunoglobulin G conjugate. Both a very high specific radioactivity (872 +/- 56 MBq/mg) and a high labeling efficiency (94.0%) were achieved.     

Bimodal column switching liquid chromatographic assay of six metabolites of [14C] felodipine in rat urine

A liquid chromatographic method using bimodal column switching is presented which allows for the separation of six urinary metabolites of [14C] felodipine and their quantification using an on-line radioactivity detector. Evaluation of the chromatographic conditions was performed with non-labelled reference compounds and UV detection. Pre-separation of the metabolites into two groups, one consisting of carboxylic acid metabolites and the other of the hydroxylated analogues, was performed on underivatized silica. The mobile phase used was optimized with respect to pH and the character of quaternary ammonium ion, and was 0.01 M tetrapropylammonium in 5% (v/v) methanol in 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 5.0). Each group was introduced and separated, after band compression, by a gradient of increasing methanol concentration on an octyl-bonded column. The analysis time was 70 min. The method was applied to urine collected from rats (n = 4, 0-24 h) after oral dosing of [14C] felodipine (5 mumol/kg). The urine was analysed with no pre-treatment other than slight dilution. The six metabolites accounted for 58% of the excreted amount (13% of the dose).     

Capillary electrophoretic chiral separation of hydroxychloroquine and its metabolites in the microsomal fraction of liver homogenates

A rapid, selective, and low-cost chiral capillary electrophoretic method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its three chiral metabolites: desethylchloroquine (DCQ), desethylhydroxychloroquine (DHCQ), and bisdesethylchloroquine (BDCQ) in the microsomal fraction of liver homogenates. After liquid-liquid extraction using toluene as extracting solvent, the drug and metabolites were resolved on a fused-silica capillary (50 microm ID, 50 cm total length, and 42 cm effective length), using 100 mmol/L of Tris/phosphate buffer, pH 9.0 containing 1% w/v sulfated-beta-CD and 30 mg/mL hydroxypropyl-beta-CD. Detection was carried out at 220 nm. The extraction procedure was efficient in removing endogenous interferents, and low values (相似文献   

Assay for codeine, morphine and ten potential urinary metabolites by gas chromatography--mass fragmentography

A mass fragmentography (MF) assay is described for ten potential, minor urinary metabolites of codeine (C) and morphine (M). Samples were hydrolyzed, extracted, derivatized with Tri-Sil Z and analyzed by methane chemical ionization (CI)-MF. The method is sensitive to ca. 0.01 microgram/ml for all compounds with the exception of normorphine (NM) which was difficult to extract with chloroform. The sensitivity of the MF assay for NM was only ca. 0.10 microgram/ml. Various solvent systems were investigated for optimization of extraction efficiency of all metabolites. A separate method for the extraction of NM is reported which utilizes a solid buffer--solvent combination, i.e., potassium carbonate--isopropanol. This latter method provided the best overall recovery of NM (39.0 +/- 3.4%). Gas chromatographic (GC) retention times of C, M and metabolites are reported for three liquid phases (3%) on Gas-Chrom Q (100-120 mesh). Resolution of metabolites (as trisilyl derivatives) was best on Silar-5CP and this phase was used in metabolic studies of C and M. GC resolution was not complete for all compounds; however, selection of specific ions for monitoring by MF provided the required specificity for all compounds except the 6 alpha- and 6 beta-hydroxy isomers. CI spectra for all metabolites are reported. The MF assay was used for urinary analysis of samples from guinea pigs that received single doses of C (15 mg/kg) or M (8 mg/kg). Following C administration 6 alpha- and 6 beta-hydrocodol, 6 alpha, beta-hydromorphol (undifferentiated), HM and M were measured. Following M administration only 6 alpha, beta-hydromorphol was found. The amount of total metabolite as percent dose for each component was calculated as less than 1%.     

Metabolism and excretion of 5-ethyl-2-{5-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-1-sulfonyl]-2-propoxyphenyl}-7-propyl-3,5-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-d]-pyrimidin-4-one (SK3530) in rats

The in vitro and in vivo metabolism of a novel PDE 5 inhibitor, SK3530, was investigated in rats. Bile, plasma, feces, urine and liver samples were collected and analyzed using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system equipped with ultraviolet (UV), mass spectrometric and radioactivity detectors. After a single oral administration, the mean radiocarbon recovery was 92.32+/-6.26%, with 91.25+/-6.25 and 1.07+/-0.21% in the feces and urine, respectively. The biliary excretion of radioactivity for the first 24 h period was approximately 38.82%, suggesting that SK3530 is cleared by hepatobiliary excretion. In vitro incubation of SK3530 with rat and human liver microsomes resulted in the formation of twelve and ten metabolites, respectively. SK3530 was extensively metabolized to twenty different metabolites, including three glucuronide and three sulfate conjugates in rats. The structures of these metabolites were elucidated based on MSn spectral analyses. Six major metabolic pathways were identified in the rat: N-dealkylation and oxidation of the hydroxyethyl moiety; N,N-deethylation and hydroxylation of the piperazine ring; hydroxylation of the propyl group and sulfate conjugation. An additional metabolite due to aromatic hydroxylation was also identified in hepatic microsomes.     

Human urinary metabolite profile of tea polyphenols analyzed by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry with data-dependent acquisition

Tea is rich in polyphenols and has a variety of biological activities. In order to better understand the biological effects of tea constituents on human health, markers for their exposure and their metabolic fates are needed. Previously, we have characterized several catechin metabolites in the blood and urine, but more information on the metabolite profile of tea polyphenols is needed. In the present study, the human urinary metabolite profile of tea polyphenols was investigated using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry with data-dependent acquisition. With data-dependent MS/MS analysis by collecting the MS2 and MS3 spectra of the most intense ions in the sample, we identified more than twenty metabolites of tea polyphenols from human urine samples. (-)-Epigallocatechin (EGC) glucuronide, methylated EGC glucuronide, methylated EGC sulfate, (-)-epicatechin (EC) glucruronide, EC sulfate, methylated EC sulfate, as well as the glucuronide and sulfate metabolites of the ring-fission metabolites of tea catechins, 5-(3',4',5'-trihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M4), 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M6) and 5-(3',5'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M6'), were the major human urinary metabolites of tea polyphenols. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the direct simultaneous analysis of the human urinary metabolite profile of tea polyphenols using single sample analysis. This method can also be used for thorough investigations of the metabolite profiles of many other dietary constituents.     

Fractionation of polyphenols in hawthorn into polymeric procyanidins, phenolic acids and flavonoids prior to high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis

Polymeric procyanidins, phenolic carboxylic acids and flavonoids of hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) were fractionated prior to HPLC analysis using column chromatography and solid-phase extraction (SPE). The flavonoid fraction also contained (-)-epicatechin. The three groups of phenolics, each with clearly different UV spectra, were examined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis. The average repeatability of the method (RSD) was in the range of 8-13% for chlorogenic acid, (-)-epicatechin and hyperoside. The polymeric procyanidins of hawthorn flowers consisted mainly of (-)-epicatechin subunits, and their mean degree of polymerization (DP) was 22.2. The HPLC methods developed can be used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of different phenolic compounds in hawthorn plant material and their extracts.