Abstract
A new, simple and selective reversed-phase HPLC assay is developed for the determination of the clinically undesirable artemisitene in the antimalarial agent artemisinin (qinghaosu). It involves the use of an internal standard (santonin) and the determination time is less than 5 minutes. Detection was accomplished using a UV detector set at 216 nm and limits were as low as 15ng for a 10μl injection. Being simple and selective this method is particularly useful for the routine analysis of artemisinin to check its purity. In addition, the method can be used for preparative scale purification of these compounds. It has been applied for the evaluation of crystalline samples of artemisinin without prior preparation.