Development and validation of a simultaneous RP-HPLC-UV/DAD method for determination of polyphenols in gels containing S. terebinthifolius raddi (Anacardiaceae)

Topical gels containing extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius have been used to treat bacterial vaginosis. It has been reported that this species has anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic properties, which can be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds. In this work, a sensitive and selective reversed-phase HPLC-UV/DAD method for the simultaneous assay of six polyphenols that could be present in S. terebinthifolius was developed. The method was shown to be accurate and precise. Peak purity and similarity index both exceeded 0.99. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration range studied, with correlation coefficients between 0.9931 and 0.9974. This method was used to determine the polyphenol content of a hydroalcoholic extract and pharmacy-compounded vaginal gel. Although the method is useful to assess the 6 phenolic compounds, some compounds could not be detected in the products.