Objective: To establish an HPLC method for simultaneous determination of magnoflorine

jatrorrhizine

palmatine and berberine in Berberidis Cortex and compare the differences of the four alkaloids among different parts. Method: The separation was performed on an InertSustain C18 column with a gradient elution of acetonitrile and 0.2% phosphoric acid solution

and the detection wavelength was set at 270 nm. Result: There were significant differences in the contents of four alkaloids among different parts of Berberidis Cortex. The contents of four alkaloids in root endodermis and stem endodermis were obviously higher than stem xylem

stem phellem

root xylem

and root phellem. Moreover

compared with root endodermis

stem endodermis contained more magnoflorine but less berberine. However

there was no significant difference in total alkaloid contents between the two medicinal parts. Conclusion: The established method was simple

accurate and repeatable

which was suitable for quality evaluation and quality control of Berberidis Cortex. Based on these findings

we suggest that the stem endodermis of Berberidis Cortex may be considered as the only medicinal part in perspective of environmental protection and sustainable utilization.