Distribution of four alkaloids in plants of Berberis

: In order to assess a simple and effective method for sensitive detection of alkaloids in Berberis plants, HPLC with gradiation elution is described. This method was developed for determination of four kinds of alkaloids including berbamine, jatrorrhizine, berberine and palmatine in methanolic extracts from bark and core of root and stem of Berberis. The linear correlations of berberine, jatrorrhizine, berbamine and palmatine were in the range of 0.028 - 4.74 microg (r = 0.9998), 0.012 - 2.0 microg (r = 0.9996), 0.026 - 0.52 microg (r = 0.9999), 0.015 - 2.56 microg (r = 0.9998), respectively. The content of alkaloids had obvious difference in Berberis plants from different habitats and different parts.