Significant differences in alkaloid content of Coptis chinensis (Huanglian), from its related American species

Shreya Kamath,Aswini Pai,Matthew Skeels

doi:10.1186/1749-8546-4-17

Abstract

BackgroundThe growing popularity of Chinese herbal medicine in the United States has prompted large-scale import of raw herbs from Asia. Many of the Asian herbs have phylogenetically related North American species. We compared three phylogenetically related species, namely Coptis chinensis (Huanglian), Hydrastis canadensis and Coptis trifolia to show whether they can be substituted by one another in terms of alkaloid content.MethodsWe used microwave assisted extraction to obtain alkaloids berberine, coptisine, palmatine and hydrastine. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify each alkaloid.ResultsHydrastis canadensis has the most berberine, whereas Coptis trifolia has the most coptisine. Hydrastine and palmatine were unique to Hydrastis canadensis and Coptis chinensis respectively.ConclusionNeither Hydrastis canadensis nor Coptis trifolia contains all the alkaloids found in Coptis chinensis used in Chinese medicine. Substitutes of this Chinese species by its American relatives are not recommended.

Highlights

The growing popularity of Chinese herbal medicine in the United States has prompted large-scale import of raw herbs from Asia
The present study investigates the alkaloid content in Coptis trifolia (American goldthread) and Hydrastis canadensis, two herbs found in the United States, and Coptis chinensis (Huanglian, Chinese goldthread), a Chi
The present study aims to investigate whether berberine, coptisine, hydrastine and palmatine are quantitatively comparable in content among rhizomes of Hydrastis canadensis, Coptis trifolia and Coptis chinensis

Summary

Introduction

The growing popularity of Chinese herbal medicine in the United States has prompted large-scale import of raw herbs from Asia. Many of the Asian herbs have phylogenetically related North American species. Related plant species exhibit phytochemical similarities [1]. The growing popularity of Chinese herbal medicine in the United States has prompted largescale import of raw herbs from Asia [3]. As many Chinese medicinal plants are evolutionarily related to their North American congeners, the North American species may be possible phytochemical substitutes to the Chinese medicinal herbs [4]. Growing native substitutes can potentially promote local industry and reduce the ecological risks of cultivating exotic species; there is little information available on possible North American phytochemical substitutes to Chinese medicinal herbs

Methods

Results

Conclusion