Analysis of Constituents in Crude Drugs by High-speed Liquid Chromatography. I. Quantitative Analysis of Paeoniflorin in Paeony Roots

Abstract

We used high-speed liquid chromatography in the quantitative analysis of paeoniflorin content in Paeonia Radix. Sufficient separation of paeoniflorin was obtained under appropriate conditions (HITACHI Gel 3010, eluted with 50% MeOH). We observed the monthly variation of paeoniflorin content and found that the best month for collecting Paeony root is November because of the maximum paeoniflorin content. Comparison of paeoniflorin content among several products in various habitats was also examined. We also discovered that one-year cultivated Paeony root contains more paeoniflorin than three-year cultivated one.