Abstract
We established an easy and quick determination method of emetine (EM) and cephaeline (CP) in ipecac syrup by HPLC, which was carried out by using chloroquine as an internal standard. The calibration plots of these alkaloids showed a good linearity. Semi-preparative HPLC followed by mass-spectrometry was employed and the spectra of EM and CP isolated by preparative HPLC were found to be identical with those of authentic samples. Constant amounts of EM and CP were added to samples and the recovery rates were determined. This method gave a good recovery. The total contents of EM and CP in ipecac syrup from the USA ranged 153.2-184.9 mg/ 100ml and the content ratios (CP/ EM) were 2.6-3.0. These levels were higher than those of the USP standard for ipecac syrup.
