Isolation of alkaloids in lotus heart (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) by semi-preparative liquid chromatography

Abstract

This study aimed to isolate biologically active alkaloids in Plumula Nelumbinis,  using semi-preparative liquid chromatography. Before being sent to the semi-preparative liquid chromatography system, the concentrated extract was cleaner by the distribution shaking method and using vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) to separate into simple segments. The result was the isolation of two alkaloids, EN-9 and EN-10, with purity determined on the HPLC-PDA system to be over 95%. Spectroscopic methods as UV, IR, MS, and NMR were used to determine the structure of isolated alkaloids. The results determined that EN-9 is armepavine and EN-10 is nor-armepavine. Thus, from 2 kg of Plumula Nelumbinis powder, the study successfully isolated two biologically active alkaloids, armepavine (17.6 mg) and nor-armepavine (13.8 mg), with a purity of over 95%, meeting the requirements for standard substances originating from medicinal herbs.