One-step separation and purification of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, salvianolic acid B and protocatechualdehyde from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge by high-speed counter-current chromatography

Three kinds of polyphenols of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, salvianolic acid B and protocatechualdehyde, were separated and purified in one step with solvent system n-hexane–ethyl acetate–methanol–acetic acid–water (1:6:1.5:1.5:8) by high-speed counter-current chromatography. Acetic acid was successfully used to increase the partition of high polar target compounds in organic phase to modify partition coefficient value. 3,4-Dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, salvianolic acid B and protocatechualdehyde were purified from 100 mg water extracted crude sample of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge at purity of 97.6%, 94.2% and 98.2% and at yield of 98.6%, 73.6% and 90.2%. High-speed counter-current chromatography together with organic/aqueous solvent system supplied an efficient method to purify water-soluble compounds directly from crude samples of traditional Chinese medicines.