Rapid isocratic HPLC analysis of caffeic acid derivatives from Echinacea purpurea cultivated in Iran

Cichoric acid and caftaric acid are the main phenolic compounds in Echinacea purpurea tops. The level of these phenolic compounds in E. purpurea extracts is affected by different factors such as seasonal variations, drying methods, extraction methods, and growing location of the plant. HPLC analysis of caffeic acid derivatives in extracts of Echinacea purpurea (Cultivar) aerial parts, produced by boiling water extraction and ethanol-water extraction methods, showed various levels of the derivatives. Our findings revealed that the Iranian cultivated E. purpurea had a high level of cichoric acid (3.5–5.7 %). Caftaric acid was also the main phenolic compound in E. purpurea tops (3.1–4.5 %). After 2 h of boiling water extraction, the level of cichoric acid was 5.7 %, whereas the level of this acid in 60:40 ethanol-water extraction did not exceed 3.9 %. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 150–152, March–April, 2008.