New HPLC pattern-oriented approach for quality control of enteric coated tablets containing aescin from Aesculus hippocastanum

Abstract

From the seed of Aesculus hippocastanum L., a complex mixture of triterpene saponin glycosides known as aescin was isolated, purified and characterized to be an active pharmaceutical ingredient for preparing of drug products. A reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection was developed for the determination of total triterpene glycosides in enteric coated tablets containing aescin in a pattern-oriented manner. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.1 % phosphoric acid solution (40: 60). UV detection was performed at 220 nm. The chromatographic column was Gemini C18 column, 5 µm 250 mm × 4.6 mm, which was maintained at 25 ◦C, connected with a precolumn (C18, 4.0 × 3.0 mm, 5 µm). The linear range was from 53.4 to 160.1 μg·mL−1. The RSD of intra-and inter-day precision variations were less than 1 % and the mean recovery was (100.66 ± 0.49) % (RSD = 0.64 %). The method showed its suitability, simplicity, rapidity and precision. Accordingly, it was proven adequate for quality control of this herbal drug product either for registration with the regulartory authority or routine analysis.