Determination of icariin, epimendin A, epimendin B, and epimendin C in Epimedii Herba by QAMS / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To establish a method of quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) for determining the flavonoids in Epimedii Herba and improve the level of quality control of Epimedii Herba by applying multi-index components control. Methods: To detect a relative correction factor (RCF) of epimendin A, epimendin B, epimendin C, and icariin at detection wavelength of 270 nm by HPLC in the range of a linear, to investigate the reproducibility of RCF in different chromatographic columns and different instruments as well, to consider icariin as an internal standard, to calculate the contents of epimendin A, epimendin B, and epimendin C in Epimedii Herba by using RCF; Meanwhile, to analyze the content of the four components in 100 Epimedii Herba by external standard method (ESM) and verify the accuracy and scientificalness of QAMS. Results: The RCF had a good reproducibility, which were 1.352, 1.384, and 1.340. The values of RSD were less than 5%; No significant differences were found in the quantitative results of epimendin A, epimendin B, and epimendin C determined by using RCF and ESM. Conclusion: This method could be accurate and reliable, simple and feasible, which could save the reference and costs of testing. It further validates that this approach can be used as a quality control method for the determination of multi-component index in Epimedii Herba.