ABSTRACT
Objective: To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of five free anthraquinones (aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion), four bound anthraquinones (aloe-emodin-8-O-glucopyranoside, emodin-1-glucoside, chrysophanol-1-glucoside, and emodin-8-glucoside), gallic acid, and catechin in Rhei Radix et Rhizome. Methods: The analysis was achieved with a Symmetry C18 column by gradient elution of methanol-0.1% phosphoric acid in water at 30 ℃. The flow rate was 1 mL/min, and the detection wavelength was set at 254 nm. Results: The calibration curves of all eleven constituents showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.999 5) in a relatively wide concentration range. The linear ranges of gallic acid, catechin, aloe-emodin-8-O- glucopyranoside, emodin-1-O-glucoside, chrysophanol-1-O-glucoside, emodin-8-O-glucoside, aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion were 0.062 4-1.560 0, 0.180 0-4.500 0, 0.041 2-1.030 0, 0.030 6-0.765 0, 0.0510 0-1.275 0, 0.028 8-0.720 0, 0.019 8-0.495 0, 0.050 5-1.262 5, 0.063 7-1.592 5, 0.098 0-2.450 0, and 0.163 0-4.075 0 μg (r ≥ 0.999 5), respectively. The mean recovery of these eleven components was 95.37%-98.93%, RSD < 2.36%. Conclusion: This method is simple, accurate, and specific, and can be used for the determination of eleven constituents in Rhei Radix et Rhizome.