Development of a Simultaneous Analysis Method for Quality Control of a Traditional Herbal Formula, Daeshiho-Tang, Using 10 Marker Components

Abstract

Daeshiho-tang (DSHT) is a traditional herbal formula consisting of six herbal medicines: Bupleurum falcatum L., Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Paonia lactiflora Pall., Pheum palmatum L., Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf., and Pinellia ternate (Thunb.) Makino. In this study, we developed a simultaneous analysis method based on high-performance liquid chromatography for the quality control of DSHT. Chromatographic separation of 10 marker components (gallic acid, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, naringin, benzoic acid, baicalin, poncirin, wogonoside, baicalein, and wogonin) was achieved using a water–acetonitrile system as the mobile phase with a SunFire C18 reversed-phase column. The developed analytical method was validated with respect to linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, recovery, and precision. Among the 10 markers of DSHT in the established assay, baicalin, the main compound of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, was present in the highest concentration (36.86–46.17 mg/g). The validated assay will be useful for the quality control of DSHT.