Abstract
Beta-carboline alkaloids in crude drugs were quantified by a reversed-phase HPLC method without interference from their artifactual formation during analysis and with fluorometric detection specific to each individual analyte. 1-Methyl-β-carboline, β-carboline, 7-hydroxy-1-methyl-β-carboline, 7-methoxy-1-methyl-β-carboline, 1-methyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-β-carboline and 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-β-carboline showed a wide distribution in the crude drugs and the former two β-carbolines were detected in all those tested. Schisandrae Fructus, Pinelliae Tuber, Evodiae Fructus and Passiflora incarnata contained relatively large amounts of β-carbolines at ng-μg/g dry weight levels. Beta-carboline alkaloids may be responsible for the pharmacological effects of crude drugs as the potent active substances.
