Determination of four major flavonoids in the methanolic extract of Hypericum perforatum by HPTLC-densitometry

• Published in: Planta Medica
• Main Authors: Kırmızıbekmez, H, Atay, İ, Yeşilada, E
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 04.08.2008
• ISSN: 0032-0943; 1439-0221
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084590

Hypericum perforatum (Hypericaceae) extracts have long been used to treat mild to moderate depression episodes [1]. Although the activity of the extracts is mainly attributed to hyperforin and hypericin, its all effective compounds have not yet been fully identified. The flavonoids, especially rutin, were reported to contribute to the antidepressant activity of the extracts [2]. In this study, the separation and the quantitative determination of four major quercetin glycosides (rutin, miquelianin, hyperoside and quercitrin) in methanolic extract of H. perforarum was established by HPTLC-densitometry. The compounds were separated on silica gel 60 F 254 HPTLC plates with ethyl acetate-chloroform- formic acid-acetic acid-water (100:25:10:10:11) as mobile phase. The densitometric detection of the flavonoids was carried out at 270nm. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 100–600ng for rutin, 200–1200ng for miquelianin and quercitrin, and 400–2400ng for hyperoside. The percentages of the compounds were estimated as 0.75% for rutin, 1.9% for miquelianin, 4.8% for hyperoside and 1.8% for quercitrin. The method was found to be rapid, reproducible and convenient for the quantitative analysis of flavonoids of H. perforatum methanolic extract. References: 1. Rückert, L. et. al. (2004)J. Chromatogr. A 1041:181–185. 2. Noldner, M., Schotz, K. (2002) Planta Med. 68: 577–580.