Analysis of gypsogenin saponins in homeopathic tinctures

A relatively simple and short procedure for the quantitative determination of gypsogenin saponins was performed to evaluate homeopathic tinctures in which those compounds can be regarded as one of the active constituents. This method comprises partial hydrolysis of saponins, subsequent extraction of liberated prosaponin (gypsogenin 3-O-glucuronide) and its analysis by high performance liquid chromatography. Glycyrrhizic acid was used as an internal standard. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of mother tinctures obtained from Saponaria officinalis. Thus, the determination of triterpenoid saponins can be used as a convenient and sufficient method of standardization of selected homeopathic tinctures.