Determination of Oleanolic and Ursolic Acids in Sambuci flos Using HPLC with a New Reversed-phase Column Packed with Naphthalene Bounded Silica

Abstract

Elder flowers have traditionally been used for their anti-inflammatory properties. However little is known about triterpenoid components in this Pharmacopoeial herbal drug. Herein, we report the quantification of ursolic and oleanolic acid in Sambuci flos by HPLC method. These biologically active triterpenoids were effectively separated and quantified using the elaborated HPLC chromatographic method with a naphthalene bounded silica reversed phase column. In this study, a very simple mobile phase for HPLC was developed to simultaneously determine both acids and the factors affecting separation were also discussed. The average content of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid in the elder flowers determined by proposed method was 2.06 mg/g and 11.56 mg/g respectively. This study showed both successful applications of the new type of reversed phase column and important contribution of mentioned triterpenoids to elder flower composition presumably resulting in its pharmacological action.