Abstract:

Objective: A simple high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for the
simultaneous quantification of caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid, luteolin and apigenin from Perilla frutescens using
methanol as extractant with ultrasonic-assisted extraction. Methods: The five compounds were isolated by using a Phenomenex
C18 column by gradient elution, and the mobile phase was methanol-0.1% acetic acid solution with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.
The UV detection wavelength was performed at 320 nm. Results: The linear ranges for caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rosmarinic
acid, luteolin and apigenin were determined to be 0.001 22–61.00, 0.001 06–53.00, 0.001 28–64.00, 0.001 20–60.00 and
0.001 12–56.00 μg/mL, respectively, and the correlation coefficients were 0.999 99, 0.999 99, 0.999 91, 0.999 94 and 0.999 95,
respectively. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.101 9, 0.392 6, 0.355 9, 0.286 2 and 0.202 5 ng/mL, respectively. The
average recoveries of these compounds in spiked real samples were in the range of 95.79%–101.41%. Conclusion: The
proposed method is simple, precise, specific, sensitive and accurate. It provides a new and scientific means for routine quality
control of Perilla frutescens.

Key words: organic acids, flavonoids, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, high performance liquid chromatography, Perilla frutescens