Ion-pair partition chromatography analysis of anthraquinone glycosides of senna and pharmaceutical preparations of senna.

Ion-pair partition has been combined with HPLC for the rapid detection and separation of the major anthraquinone glycosides of senns, sennosides A and B. A Corasil C18 column (5 microns) with methyl alcohol (30 percent in water) containing 0.005 M tetrabutylammonium phosphate, pH 7.5, as mobile phase was used. In the application to the assay of drugs, sennosides A and/or B constituents of the crude senna drug, Senokot syrup, Senokot tablets, and Pursennid tablets have been estimated in the presence of other constituents of the crude drug and pharmaceutical preparations. The results obtained are compared with colorimetric assay results.