Chemical standardization of Poria cocos

For the purpose of the quality control of Poria cocos, three major compounds were isolated and identified as pachymic acid (1), 3β-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-21-oic acid (2), and dehydroeburicoic acid (3). The optimal extraction conditions for the quantification of pachymic acid and its analogues were the 3 hours of reflux with 15 g of P. cocos in 100 ml 95% ethanol. HPLC conditions were as follows: Column; ZORBAX Eclipse XDB C18 (4.6 × 250 mm, Agillent), mobile phase; 1% HOAc in 70% MeOH → 1% HOAc in 100% MeOH for 25 min, then 1% HOAc in 100% MeOH for 15 min, detector; ELSD, flow rate; 1 ml/min. The mean contents of 1, 2, and 3 in Poria cocos cultivated at 18 different site were 0.65 ± 0.19, 0.88 ± 0.72, and 0.84 ± 0.54 mg/g, respectively, and these values might be the guide line for the quality control of P. cocos.