The influence of pharmaceutical methods ofpreparation of Hydrastis canadensis mother tincture, on concentrations of Hydrastine and Berberine, using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors:   , Vawda Aaisha Mahmood 
Published: May 2022

This study used High-Performance Liquid Chromatography to determine the quantities of active ingredients, Hydrastine and Berberine, that were present in different pharmaceutical preparations of Homoeopathic Hydrastis canadensis mother tincture. Homoeopathic dilutions, namely 1:3 and 1:10 dilutions of Hydrastis canadensis were investigated. Commercial samples of 1:3 and 1:10 dilutions of Hydrastis canadensis were purchased from a Homoeopharmaceutical company. A 1:10 dilution was prepared in the Homoeopharmaceutical laboratory at the Durban University of Technology, from the commercial 1:3 dilution. This 1:10 dilution of Hydrastis canadensis was compared to the commercial 1:10 dilution that was purchased from the Homoeopharmaceutical company, to compare the difference between the quantities of active ingredients in the same dilutions, prepared under slightly different conditions. A 1:10 dilution is more cost effective, especially for use in Homoeopathic community Healthcare Centres. Therefore, the study aimed to determine whether the wide use of a 1:10 dilution may be justified or negated. This study aimed to evaluate whether the quantities of alkaloids present in different Homoeopathic dilutions, correlated with the current Homoeopathic uses of the remedy. It also intended to establish whether remedies that are purchased from Homoeopharmaceutical companies, and then further diluted in Homoeopathic laboratories are still comparable and effective. There are various methods of preparing the same Homoeopathic dilution. This study investigated whether the different methods of preparing the same dilution of a remedy, whilst following standard procedures and guidelines, yielded different quantities of the end alkaloids of the remedy. A new angle of Quality Control in the production of Homoeopathic remedies was investigated as well. The Homoeopathic scope of practise does not permit the Practitioner to dispense a 1:3 dilution to a patient. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a justification for using a 1:3 to prepare a 1:10 which is commonly used in Homoeopathic practice (2019, pers. comm. Dr S Brijnath. January 2019). The concentrations of Hydrastine and Berberine were depicted in a chromatogram. This data was displayed using Adobe. The data analysis was depicted using graphs, and SigmaPlot was used to calculate the results of the data obtained. The results were tabulated, and all forms of data were attached as appendices in this dissertation. The statistical analysis of the data was conducted using the Analysis of Variants test. This research project showed that the Researcher’s preparations of Hydrastis canadensis contained sufficient concentrations of Hydrastine and Berberine when compared to Hydrastis canadensis that was purchased from a Homoeopharmaceutical company. Moreover, the Researcher’s preparation of Hydrastis canadensis dilutions contained significantly higher concentrations of the aforementioned alkaloids than that purchased from a Homoeopharmaceutical company.