Optimization of extraction technique and validation of developed RP-HPLC-ELSD method for determination of terpene trilactones in Ginkgo biloba leaves

Terpene trilactones are potent and selective antagonists of platelet activating factor. The present study deals with standardization of efficient extraction method and validation of newly developed simple, sensitive and rapid reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method with evaporative light scattering detection (RP-HPLC-ELSD) method for the quantitative determination of ginkgolide A (GA), ginkgolide B (GB), ginkgolide C (GC), ginkgolide J (GJ) and bilobalide (BB) within 8 min in Ginkgo biloba leaf extract. The analysis was conducted on a Zorbax RP-C18 column with gradient elution of methanol–water–tetrahydrofuran. The method was validated for accuracy, precession, limit of detection and quantification. The drift tube temperature of evaporative light scattering detector was set to 90 °C and nitrogen flow rate was 1.5 standard liter/min (SLM).