HPLC–MS analysis of ipecacuanha alkaloids in pharmaceutical relics from eighteenth century

The alkaloids in two historical pharmaceutical relics of ipecacuanha, dated to the eighteenth century, were analyzed by HPLC–MS. The conditions of extraction and separation were optimized. Four alkaloids (emetine, cephaeline, protoemetine, and O-methylpsychotrine) were found. The content of the main ipecacuanha alkaloids, emetine and cephaeline, in analyzed samples is fairly decreased in comparison with standard current pharmaceutical substance. O-Methylpsychotrine has been identified as the emetine decomposition product. The identity of the compounds was confirmed by MS2, and the ESI+ fragmentation mechanisms of compounds found have been proposed.