Analysis of Major Withanolides in Physalis longifolia Nutt. by HPLC-PDA

An analytical method based on high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of three anti-proliferative withanolides [withalongolide A ( 1: ), withaferin A ( 2: ) and withalongolide B ( 3: )] present in the aboveground biomass of the long-leaf groundcherry, Physalis longifolia. This method was achieved by biomass extraction followed by chromatographic separation on C18 column eluted with a gradient acetonitrile-water mobile phase. Calibration curves produced satisfactory linear regression (r(2) > 0.9995) for each examined sample. The method was also validated for accuracy, precision and limits of detection and quantification. Such an approach is applicable for the rapid detection and quantitative assessment of withanolides in various P. longifolia accessions.