Korea Epimedium Extract Chemical Composition

Epimedium koreanum Nakai that belongs to Epimedium, is one of the Epimedium species which are recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2005) as a traditional Chinese medicine. Li shizhen wrote in "Ben Cao Gang Mu"that Epimedium can tonify pneuma, strengthen bones and muscles, reinforce lumar and kidney, enhance psychic energy. The author investigated the chemical constituents in the extract, and determinated the content of icariin and total flavonoids in Epimedium koreanum Nakai of different collection periods to definite the best collection period.In this thesis, the chemical constituents of the extrac from the aerial parts of Epimedium koreanum Nakai were studied, 14 compounds were isolated with silica gel, polyamide, sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC, etc. On the basis of analysis of NMR data and measuring of physic-chemical characters, the chemical structures of 11 compounds were elucidated as caohuoside F (1), maohuoside B (2), epimedin A (3), epimedin B (4), icariin(5), icriside Ⅱ (6), icariside Ⅰ (7), epimedoside A (8), hexandraside E (9), β-sitosterol(10), daucosterol (11). Of all these compounds, compound 1 was a new compound, and compound 2 was isolated for the first time from Epimedium koreanum Nakai.To determinate the content of icariin and total flavonoids in Epimedium koreanum Nakai of different collection periods and extract by HPLC and ultraviolet spectrophotometry, yield the conclusion that both the content of icariin and total flavonoids are the highest in May of the flower period. In Epimedium major active compositions are flavonoids and polysaccharides, the content of flavonoids has direct effect on pharmacological action and clinical curative effect. So people can determinate the content of icariin and total flavonoids to definite the best collection period of Epimedium koreanum Nakai, and control quality of the extract.