Phytochem Anal. 2004 Jan-Feb;15(1):55-64.

Identification and quantification of components in extracts of Uncaria tomentosa by HPLC-ES/MS.

Montoro P, Carbone V, Quiroz Jde D, De Simone F, Pizza C.

Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Facolta di Farmacia, Universita di Salerno, Via Ponte don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano, Italy. pmontoro@unisa.it

The two main classes of secondary metabolites, alkaloids and quinovic acid glycosides, of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. (Rubiaceae), a Peruvian plant commonly known as 'una de gato', have been analysed. Separation of the alkaloidal fraction was achieved using a solid phase extraction method based on cationic exchange, and an analytical method employing HPLC-ES/MS has been developed. Quantitative data for commercial wild bark, cultivated bark and leaves are reported. The analysis of quinovic acid glycosides was performed directly on the crude extract using both a fast analytical method based on flow injection ES/MS, and a more complete analytical technique using HPLC-MS.