Quality Assessment and Origin Identification on Four Species of Curcumae Radix by HPLC Assay and Fingerprint Analysis

BackgroundCurcumae Radix is a multi-source Chinese medicine called Yujin. It is derived from the root tubers of four Curcuma species including Curcuma wenyujin , C. kwangsiensis , C. phaeocaulis and C. longa. The identification of the root tubers of the four Curcuma species often caused confusions. MethodsIn this study, we developed HPLC/PDA methods to differentiate these four species of Curcumae Radix by HPLC assay and fingerprint analysis. The methods developed were also validated with their precision, repeatability and accuracy. ResultsCurdione could only be detected in C. wenyujin . For C. kwangsiensis , C. phaeocaulis , if the relative peak area value of peak 1 and germacrone peak of the samples was more than 1.024, it could be identified as C. phaeocaulis of Curcumae Radix. Curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin and bisdesmethoxycurcumin could only be detected in C. longa . We also developed a simple method to determine curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin and bisdesmethoxycurcumin in C. lon ga and germacrone in the other three species of Curcumae Radix. ConclusionsBecause of the definite difference of main ingredients between curcumin-free group (C. wenyujin , C. kwangsiensis and C. phaeocaulis ) and curcumin containing C. longa from this study, four Curcuma species of Curcumae Radix in the pharmacopeia should be separated into two monographs, with curcumin-free and germacrone containing species as one and curcumin containing C. longa as the second monograph. The HPLC/PDA methods of HPLC assay and fingerprint analysis developed in this study could be used for the quality control of these four species of Curcumae Radix. Keywords: Curcumae Radix, HPLC, assay, fingerprint, curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, bisdesmethoxycurcumin, germacrone, curdione