Optimization of Tertiary Alkaloids Separation from Corydalis yanhusuo by Macroporous Resins

H. Guo, Y. Luo, J. Qian and X. Shang

Abstract
Corydalis yanhusuo is used widely for the treatment of gastralgia, costalgia and dysmenorrhea in Chinese medicine. The alkaloid is the main active ingredient of C. yanhusuo. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the separation and purification process for alkaloids by AB-8 resin-packed chromatogram column. The optimal conditions were found to be as follows: height-diameter ratio of AB-8 resin-packed chromatogram column, 10.50; concentration and pH of feed sample solution, 1.12 mg mL–1 and 7.16, respectively. The gradient elution program was 30 % ethanol for 2 BV (bed volume) followed by 80 % of ethanol for 5 BV at flow rate of 3 mL min–1. After the AB-8 resin treatment, the contents of alkaloids and tetrahydropalmatine were increased respectively from 25.20 % and 2.12 % to 58.25 % and 6.58 %, the recovery of alkaloids and tetrahydropalmatine were 85.40 % and 65.21 %, respectively. The results indicated that the optimization of alkaloid separation from C. yanhusuo by macroporous resins is feasible and efficient.

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Keywords
Macroporous resins, tertiary alkaloid, response surface methodology, Corydalis yanhusuo