A simple and efficient method for the extraction and purification of tuberostemonine from Stemonae Radix using an amide group-based monolithic cartridge

Stemonae Radix shows multiple pharmacological effects, mainly due to the alkaloid of tuberostemonine contained in it. An online SPE-HPLC method was fabricated by combining the solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge with a C18 analytical column through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system, which was used for the quantitative determination of tuberostemonine from Stemonae Radix extract and plasma. The SPE cartridge shows excellent matrix removal ability and specific selectivity for the tuberostemonine. The methodology validation confirms its good accuracy with the spiked recovery of 100.6%∼101.7%, a good repeatability with the relative standard deviations of 0.3%∼0.7% ( t R ) and 5.8%∼7.7% ( A ). Furthermore, the proposed monolithic SPE cartridge was used for the preparative separation and purification of tuberostemonine from Stemonae Radix, which was carried out on a semi-preparative HPLC instrument, with a high yield of 1.08 mg g −1 obtained. These results show that the present monolithic cartridge is an outstanding SPE adsorbent for the extraction, separation, enrichment and purification of tuberostemonine from Stemonae Radix, which can be extended to the analysis of similar alkaloids from complex samples.