Preparative separation of vitexin and isovitexin from pigeonpea extracts with macroporous resins

Vitexin and isovitexin are a pair of isomeric compounds known as the major constituents in pigeonpea leaves and possess various pharmacological activities. In the present study, the preparative separation of vitexin and isovitexin with macroporous resins (Nankai Hecheng S & T, Tianjin, China) was studied. The performance and adsorption characteristics of eight macroporous resins including ADS-5, ADS-7, ADS-8, ADS-11, ADS-17, ADS-21, ADS-31 and ADS-F8 have been evaluated. The research results indicate that ADS-5 resin is most appropriate for the separation of vitexin and isovitexin. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to describe the interactions between solutes and resin at different temperatures, and the equilibrium experimental data were well fitted to the two isotherms. Column packed with ADS-5 resin was used to perform dynamic adsorption and desorption tests to optimize the separation process. The optimum parameters for adsorption were as follows: the concentration of vitexin and isovitexin in sample solution: 0.22 and 0.40 mg/mL, respectively, processing volume: 3 BV, flow rate: 1 mL/min, pH 4, temperature: 25 °C; for desorption: ethanol–water (40:60, v/v), 5 BV as an eluent, flow rate: 1 mL/min. After one run treatment with ADS-5 resin, the contents of vitexin and isovitexin were increased 4.07-fold and 11.52-fold from 0.86%, 1.53% to 3.50% and 17.63%, the recovery yields were 65.03% and 73.99%, respectively. In conclusion, the preparative separation of vitexin and isovitexin can be easily and effectively achieved via adsorption and desorption on ADS-5 resin, and the method can be referenced for the separation of other flavone C-glucosides from herbal materials.