HPLC-DAD DETERMINATION OF BERBERINE, CHELERYTHRINE AND SANGUINARINE IN THE MEXICAN PRICKLY POPPY (Argemone mexicana L. PAPAVERACEAE), A MEDICINAL PLANT

A sensitive, simple, rapid and reliable HPLC-DAD method for the analysis of the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIA's) content in Argemone mexicana (Papaveraceae) is presented. This method allows the simultaneous separation and quantitation of berberine (Bn), chelerythrine (C) and sanguinarine (S) in extracts from A. mexicana tissues, reducing time of analysis in comparison to previous reports. Alkaloids were separated on a C18 Hypersil Gold column using an acetonitrile gradient (20 to 70%) in 1% acetic acid in water. Alkaloids were identified based on retention times and UV spectra and quantifi...