Objective: To develop a RP-HPLC method for the determination of quercetin, luteolin, apigenin and acacetin in Flos Chrysanthemi indici.
Method: An Eclipse XDB-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was used at 25 degrees C with the mobile phases of methanol-0.2% phosphatic acid in a gradient manner. The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was 350 nm.
Result: The linear response ranged from 1.02-20.48 mg x L(-1) for quercetin (r = 0.9994, n = 5), 1.03-20.54 mg x L(-1) for luteolin (r = 0.9992, n = 5), 1.12-22.40 mg x L(-1) for apigenin (r = 0.9995, n = 5), 1.01-20.22 mg x L(-1) for acacetin (r = 0.9998, n = 5), respectively. Recoveries were 101.3% with RSD 1.3% for quercetin, 100.62% with RSD 1.4% for luteolin, 98.42% with RSD 1.7% for apigenin and 99.02% with RSD 0.8% for acacetin. A significant difference (alpha = 0.01) among the contents of four flavonoids and total flavonoids was found.
Conclusion: The method is quick, simple and repeatable for simultaneous determination of quercetin, luteolin, apigenin and acacetin in Flos Chrysanthemi Indici.