Abstract
The capability of the solvents for extracting the bioactive saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (Campanulaceae) was investigated to obtain an ideal extract which contained bioactive saponins with high quality and high quantity. The content of eight representative saponins in extracts, such as deapioplatycoside E, platycoside E, platyconic acid A and platycodin D, platycodin $D_3$, platycodin $D_2$, polygalacin $D_2$, polygalacin D were analyzed simultaneousely by the modified HPLC analytical method. The validation test of the modified qualitative and quantitative analytical method employing the ELSD equipped HPLC for eight representative saponins in the roots extract of P. grandiflorum showed a good linearity, precision and accuracy. the correlation coefficient ($r^2$) values of the calbration curves for each saponins were observed to be over 0.9990. LOD and LOQ of each saponin was calculated as $0.10{\mu}g{\sim}0.40{\mu}g$ (LOD) and $0.40{\mu}g{\sim}0.80{\mu}g$ (LOQ), respectively. Recovery rates of each saponin were also calculated as over 98%, respectively. With exception of two saponins, platyconic acid A and platycodin D, The content of eight saponins in extracts was decreased proportionally to the increment of the water ratio of solvent for extraction. Consequently, as aquous alcohol was used as a solvent for extracting the saponin components from powdered roots of P. grandiflorum, the water content in the aquous alcohol was seemed to be a critical factor for extracting efficacy. The 60-80% ratio of alcohol in the aquous alcohol were deduced to be suitable and recommendable for the preparation of roots extract of P. grandiflorum which contained saponins with high quality and high quantity.
