Determination of the active constituents in Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst. by ionic liquid-based ultrasonic-assisted extraction high-performance liquid chromatography

Shikonin and β,β′-dimethylacrylshikonin in Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst. were extracted by ionic liquid-based ultrasonic-assisted extraction (IL-based UAE) and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The dried powder of A. euchroma (Royle) Johnst. was mixed with a room temperature ionic liquid [C6MIM][BF4] to form a suspension, and then the ultrasonic extraction was performed in a water bath at ambient temperature. The calibration curve showed good linear relationship (r > 0.9998) in the concentration range of 1.75–140 μg/mL for shikonin and 2.15–1360 μg/mL for β,β′-dimethylacrylshikonin. The recoveries were between 69.79% and 82.35%. The IL-based UAE is free of volatile organic solvents, and consumes less sample, time and solvent, compared with regular ultrasonic and Soxhlet extraction. There was no obvious difference in the extraction yields of active constitutions obtained by the three extraction methods.