Molecular lipophilicity determination of a huperzine series by HPLC: Comparison of C18 and IAM stationary phases

Two hydrophobic parameters (log kw−C18 and log kw−IAM, respectively) of a huperzine A series were extrapolated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using both C18 and immobilised artificial membrane (IAM) columns. A mathematical correlation between C18 and IAM hydrophobic parameters was completed, suggesting a similar behaviour on both columns. This behaviour was principally led by hydrophobic forces. The theoretical lipophilicity (log P) of each compound was computed using Pallas® software and compared to experimental values, showing a similar lipophilic behaviour. Finally, the huperzine log kw−IAM and log kw−C18 values were correlated with the relative bound percentage of huperzine in human serum albumin, confirming that hydrophobic forces are predominant in the huperzine-HSA binding mechanism.