Preparative enrichment and separation of astragalosides from Radix Astragali extracts using macroporous resins

The enrichment and separation of astragalosides I–IV (AGs I–IV) were studied on eight macroporous resins in the present study. SA‐3 resin offered the best adsorption and desorption capacities for AGs I–IV than other resins. The models of adsorption kinetics were investigated in order to elucidate the mechanism of adsorption. The pseudo‐second‐order model was the better choice than the pseudo‐first‐order model to describe the adsorption behavior of AGs I–IV onto SA‐3 resin. The equilibrium experimental data were well fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. SA‐3 resin adsorption chromatography tests were carried out to optimize the separation process of AGs I–IV from Radix Astragali extracts. With the optimum parameters for adsorption and desorption, the contents of AGs I–IV were 8.78‐, 11.60‐, 10.52‐ and 11.28‐fold increased with the recovery yields being 65.88, 90.92, 84.25 and 94.17%, respectively. The preparative enrichment and separation of AGs I–IV from Radix Astragali extracts can be easily and effectively achieved by SA‐3 resin adsorption chromatography. The developed methodology can also be referenced for the separation of other active constituents from herbal materials and manufacture of Radix Astragali products.