Integration of an iterative factor into a validated HPTLC method for quantification of koumine in the toxic plant
Chiew Hoong Ng1,2, Zi Xuan Chim1,2, Chu Shan Tan2
1College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
Background:
Gelsemium elegans (Gardner and Champ.) Benth. (Gelsemiaceae), commonly known as heartbreak grass, is a popular herb to treat a variety of ailments, native to China and Southeast Asia. Its toxicity is attributed to the indole alkaloid it contains, particularly koumine.
Methods:
In this research, the iterative factor was integrated into a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method to enhance the precision and reliability of koumine quantification. To establish the validity of the HPTLC assay, precision, repeatability, operating range, robustness, specificity, and recovery analysis were carried out, all of which produced satisfactory results. The amount of koumine for different parts of the G. elegans plants across multiple geographical locations was quantified via the validated HPTLC method and derived from the iterative calibration method.
Results:
The results obtained from both methods were compared, and the percentage of difference ranged from 0.12% to 3.53%, indicating that there were no significance differences. All samples showed that koumine levels were highest in roots regardless of their origin, but the level of koumine in stems and leaves varied geographically. Samples from Fujian Province showed higher indole alkaloid content in the stem, while the leaf samples from Guangxi Province had higher koumine content.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that the iterative calibration method is suitable for the quantitative analysis of koumine in G. elegans Benth and enhances the robustness of HPTLC-based phytochemical standardisation.
