HPLC‐DAD in identification and quantification of selected coumarins in crude extracts from plant cultures of Ammi majus and Ruta graveolens

This paper describes a method for the separation and determination of selected coumarins and furanocoumarins in the crude extracts from plant tissue cultures of Ammi majus hairy roots and Ruta graveolens cell suspensions, cultured in vitro, separately or together as co‐cultures. The usefulness of the three main components of the eluent used in reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatographic analysis, namely: methanol (MeOH), acetonitrile (ACN), and tetrahydrofuran (THF), and different elution programs, was assessed. In the optimal analytical method a Lichrospher® RP‐18e 5‐μm column, a THF‐MeOH elution gradient, and a UV/VIS DAD detector were used. Due to the presence of many different compounds in the investigated plant extracts, the use of a UV/VIS DAD detector was essential. Coumarins were identified by comparison of their UV spectra with those of the analytical standards, and characterization of peak purity.     

Separation and simultaneous quantification of nine furanocoumarins from Radix Angelicae dahuricae using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for bioavailability determination in rats

Radix Angelicae dahuricae is a well‐known medicinal herb in a number of herb preparations for medical uses. In this study, a rapid and selective method using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the separation and simultaneous quantitation of nine furanocoumarins from Radix A. dahuricae, namely imperatorin, isoimperatorin, oxypeucedanin hydrate, bergapten, oxypeucedanin, xanthotoxol, xanthotoxin, isopimpinellin, and psoralen. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a CAPCELL PAK MG II C18 analytical column. Detection was performed using positive electrospray ion source in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was fully validated for analyzing these principles in rat plasma with a lower limit of quantification from 0.5 to 5 ng/mL. The intra‐ and interbatch precisions were less than 10%, and the accuracies ranged from –7.5 to 8.0%. The extraction recovery of the analytes was above 70% without a significant matrix effect. The method was used to determine the oral and intravenous pharmacokinetic profiles of these furanocoumarins after dosing with Radix A. dahurica extract. The bioavailability of these furanocoumarins ranged from 10.1 to 82.8%. These data provide critical information for a better understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms and herb–drug interaction potential of Radix A. dahurica.     

On-line coupled HPLC-HRGC: A powerful tool for vapor phase FTIR analysis (LC-GC-FTIR)

The design of an on-line LC-GC-FTIR system using an on-column interface and partially concurrent solvent evaporation with early vapor exit is described. The integration of LC-GC coupling into vapor phase FTIR analysis enables problems of sensitivity encountered with HRGC-FTIR detection to be over-come. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by the identification and determination of citropten and bergapten in bergamot oil.