Comparison between HPLC and HPTLC densitometry for the determination of icariin from Epimedium koreanum extracts

Dry extracts of the aerial parts of Epimedium koreanum were quantified by HPLC and high performance TLC (HPTLC). A gradient HPLC method was used for the quantification of the prenylflavone glycoside icariin at 270 nm. A direct HPTLC assay was developed for the determination of icariin at 270 nm. The UV detection of both analytical assays were used to examine the purity of icariin peaks and compared with the standards. The assays provide good accuracy, reproducibility, and selectivity for the quantitative analysis of icariin. The icariin contents of five different dry extracts were compared by HPLC and HPTLC densitometry. The quantitative results of both analytical methods did not show any statistically significant differences between them, although a trend to slightly lower mean values could be found for the HPLC method.