HPLC - DAD analysis of lycorine in Amaryllidaceae species

Lycorine, the most frequent alkaloid found in Amaryllidaceae plants, has been proven to have various biological activities. Therefore, it is important to quantify this compound in Amaryllidacaeae species. In this study, a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been used and validated for the determination of lycorine in Amaryllidaceae plants. A simple method for the extraction of lycorine in low-mass plant samples was employed utilizing columns pre-packed with diatomaceous earth (Extrelut). This method was applied to the aerial parts and bulbs of Sternbergia sicula Tineo ex Guss., S. lutea (L.) Ker-Gawl. ex Sprengel and Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) collected during two different vegetation periods. The chromatographic separation was performed using an isocratic system with a mobile phase of trifluoroacetic acid-water-acetonitrile (0.01:90:10) applied at a flow rate 1 mL min(-1) using diode array detector. Validation procedures showed that the method was specific, accurate and precise. The amount of lycorine in S. sicula samples ranged between 0.10-0.53%, whereas in those of S. lutea and P. maritimum, the range was 0.19-0.40% and 0.05-0.14%, respectively.