Determination of Anthraquinones in Different Varieties of Rumex by HPLC

OBJECTIVE To establish the method of determining the content of anthraquinones in Rumicis Acetosae Radix, and to compare anthraquinones content in different species of Rumex from different areas. METHODS The content of anthraquinones was determined by HPLC. RESULTS The content of anthraquinones in Rumex of different species of 13 batches from different areas were determined. The content of anthraquinones in R.acetosa was the highest, the total content of emodin, chrysophanol and physcion in R. acetosa was about 0.95%-2.12%, R. dentatus 0.24%-0.39%, R. trisetifer 0.04%-0.15%, and R. acetosella 0.39%-0.46%. CONCLUSION The determination method of anthraquinone established is accurate and reliable; the content of anthraquinone in different varieties of Rumex is quite different.