Preparation of Epimedins A， B， C from Epimedium brevicornum Maxim Using Middle Pressure Preparative System Combined Autopurification System

OBJECTIVE Middle pressure preparative system combined autopurification system was developed to purity Epimedins A，B，C as reference standards from the crude extract of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim.METHODS After the crude extract containing 5% flavonols was enriched using macropore resin， the obtained target fractions were subjected to middle pressure preparative system and then to autopurification system.RESULTS By repetitive injection of the enriched target fraction on to the preparative column， 2.4 g epimedin A as well as 14.8 g epimedin B and 1.7 g epimedin C were obtained from 4.5 kg Epimedium brevicornum Maxim raw herbs. The purities of all products were greater than 98%.CONCLUSION The middle pressure preparative system combined autopurification system technique for three target compounds are quite useful for the production of the reference standard series with good putity like epimedins A， B， C standards due to its rapid separation， high performance and more amounts of products obtained.