Standardization of snowdrop (Galanthus l.) herbal pharmaceutical substances by ultraviolet-spectrophotometry

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the electronic ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectra of herbal pharmaceutical substances (70% ethanol extracts) prepared from medicinal plant material of two snowdrop species – Galanthus woronowii Losinsk and Galanthus nivalis L. Methods: The groups of biologically active substances were investigated by UV-spectrophotometry including special sample preparation for flavonoids and alkaloids. Results: In the present study, data were obtained characterizing the composition of the main biologically active compounds of the genus Galanthus L., received its “spectrophotometric profiles.” On the basis of spectral characteristics of G. woronowii and G. nivalis flavonoids and alkaloids, we confirm feasibility for using galantamine, lycorine, quercetin, and its glycosides (hyperoside et al.) state standard samples in standardization analysis. Conclusion: It is shown that this method can be used to assess the quality of herbal pharmaceutical substances, serve to prove their identity in pharmacopoeial monograph.