Systematic and Efficient Isolation of Flavonoids by MPLC Combined With HPLC From Polygonatum cyrtonema Leaves

Abstract

ABSTRACT With the growing interest in the comprehensive utilization of medicinal plants to maximize their therapeutic potential, this study focused on flavonoid components in the leaves of Polygonatum cyrtonema , an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Traditionally, the roots of P. cyrtonema are used medicinally, while the potential value of its above‐ground parts, such as the leaves, remains underexplored. Preliminary research revealed that the leaves of P. cyrtonema exhibit remarkable antioxidant activity, suggesting the presence of abundant flavonoid compounds. To efficiently isolate these active components, a systematic separation method based on medium‐pressure preparative chromatography (MPLC) combined with preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography (Prep‐HPLC) was developed. Initially, flavonoids were enriched using MPLC with an MCI GEL R CHP20P stationary phase and a water/ethanol linear gradient elution for selective enrichment of target compounds. Subsequently, the enriched compounds were further separated by Prep‐HPLC on a Megress C18 column, guided by ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. This integrated strategy successfully isolated nine flavonoid compounds from the leaves of P. cyrtonema , seven of which are novel and reported for the first time, with purities exceeding 96%. Compared to traditional separation methods, the developed approach exhibits superior advantages in terms of visualization, systematicity, reproducibility, and efficiency. It not only provides a targeted and efficient means for the isolation of flavonoid compounds from P. cyrtonema leaves but also serves as a valuable reference for the separation of bioactive compounds from other medicinal plants.