Planta Med 2008; 74 - PC48
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084566

HPLC – fingerprint analysis and quantification of phenolic compounds in Leonurus cardiaca L. (Ph. Eur.) and in an antiarrhythmic refined extract

S Strahler 1, İ Çaliş 2, S Dhein 3, HW Rauwald 1
  • 1Department of Pharmacy, Chair of Pharmaceutical Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21–23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
  • 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Hacettepe University, 06100 Ankara, Turkey
  • 3Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, Leipzig University, 04289 Leipzig, Germany

A HPLC-method for the fingerprint analysis of extracts from Leonuri cardiacae herba, Lamiaceae – in particular of a refined extract with defined antiarrhythmic activity [1]– has been developed. Using a water-methanol gradient (pH 2.1 achieved by formic acid; 1.2ml/min; 40°C) phenylethanoid glycosides like lavandulifolioside and verbascoside [2], flavonoids like rutin, hyperoside, quercetin [3] and phenolic acids such as caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic and rosmarinic acid were separated on a RP-18 column at 330nm (fig.1). Quantification of the phenylethanoid glycosides and further phenolics was carried out using herniarine as internal standard. In contrast to the minor groups in the extract, such as iridoids, diterpenoids and N – compounds, these major constituents are pharmacologically relevant regarding defined antiarrhythmic effects [1] in accordance with single effects described for these compounds [4,5].

Fig.1: Separation of a refined extract from Leonuri cardiacae herba by HPLC

References: 1. Melichar, K. (2007) doctoral thesis. Leipzig University.

2. Çaliş, I. et al. (1992) Phytochemistry 31: 357–359.

3. Kartnig, T. et al. (1985)J. Nat. Prod. 48: 494.

4. Harput, Ü. Ş. et al. (2006) Turk. J. Chem. 30: 383–390.

5. Milkowska-Leyck, K. et al. (2002)J. Ethnopharm. 80: 85–90.