Validated Method for the Quantification of Atractylenolide III in Different Processed Products of Rhizoma Atractylodes Macrocephalae

Introduction - Rhizoma Atractylodes Macrocephalae (RAM) contains several sesquiterpene compounds including atractylenolide Ill (AO-III). This bioactive compound may be used as a chemical marker for the quality control of different processed RAM products. Objective - To develop and validate an RP-HPLC method for the quantitative determination of AO-III in RAM and in a variety of processed RAM products. Methodology - HPLC was carried out using a Kromssil C-18 RP-column eluted with methanol-water (70:30) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and with UV detection at 220 nm. Full validation was performed using standard methods. Results - The linear range of AO-III was 5-50 mu g/mL; the regression equation was y = 10210x + 11194 (r = 0.9994) and the average recovery was 101.08% (RSD = 0.98%). The detection and quantification limits for AO-III were determined to be 0.005 and 0.018 mu g/mL at signal-to-noise ratios of approximately 3:1 and 10:1, respectively. Conclusion - The described HPLC method is appropriate for quality assurance and differentiation of AO-III in RAM and different processed products. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.