Determination of aconitine alkaloids in aconitum roots

A reliable method for extraction of the crude drug, Aconitum roots, and purification of the extract for its eventual separation and quantitation of the aconitine alkaloids by HPLC technique has been developed. The method comprises extraction of aconite powder first with ammoniacal ether and then with methanol (x 3 each), chromatography of the resultant extract over neutral alumina and elution with ethyl acetate-methanol (7:3) prior to HPLC. The method has been found to be reproducible and suitable for routine analysis of aconite and its pharmaceutical preparations.