Short communication, Note

https://doi.org/10.2478/acph-2014-0031

TLC densitometric method for analysis of lycopsamine in comfrey root (Symphytum officinale L.) extracts using retrorsine as a reference compound

DAMJAN JANEŠ ; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
SAMO KREFT ; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

Due to severe toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, their quantification in medicinal products is very important. The idea of this research was to use retrorsine as a surrogate reference compound instead of lycopsamine reference or lycopsamine isolated from comfrey. A method for the analysis of licopsamine in extracts of comfrey roots was developed and validated, employing thin layer chromatography, derivatisation with Dann-Mattocks reagent followed by densitometric analysis. The new method showed linearity within 0.70 to 7.0 μg of lycopsamine per application of 10 μL of a solution on a plate. It has also been proven to be specific and precise (repeatability RSD 2–4 % within the plate). The method was successfully employed for quantification of lycopsamine in comfrey root and comfrey root medicinal products such as ointments.

Keywords

comfrey; lycopsamine; retrorsine; TLC; densitometry

Hrčak ID:

123132

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/123132

Publication date:

31.12.2014.

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