Development and validation of a rapid RP-HPLC-DAD analysis method for the quantification of pilocarpine in Pilocarpus microphyllus (Rutaceae)

A method using high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) for identification and quantification of pilocarpine in the extract of Pilocarpus microphyllus, popularly known as jaborandi. The analysis was conducted using RP-18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm x 5 μm id) and a buffer solution composed of acidified water, phosphoric acid and triethylamine and methanol as a mobile phase in a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and detection at 215  nm at 25 °C. Excellent linearity with r2 equal to 0.9999 was obtained. The recovery percentage was very satisfactory with values within the specifications. It is correct to affirm that the method has optimal intracurrent and intercurrent precision values with relative standard deviations of 0.1852% and 0.1932%, respectively. The robustness of the method, assessed through the Youden test, showed no significant influence of any of the evaluated parameters. In general, the method proved to be suitable for the intended purpose.