OBJECTIVETo study the chemical structures of macromolecular complexes formed by aconitine and glycyrrhizic acid, aconitine and rhein, berberine and rhein, ephedrine and glycyrrhizic acid in decoctions.

METHODThe binding energy of reactants and products was determined by X-ray spectrography, the ground level charge distribution of products was caculated by density function theory of quantum chemistry.

RESULTThe binding energy of aconitine and glycyrrhizic acid, aconitine and rhein, berberine and rhein were changed after reaction. The characteristic atoms in the molecular structures of acid components have higher positive electric charge, while the ones in alkaline components have higher negative charge.

CONCLUSIONAconitine and glycyrrhizic acid, aconitine and rhein, berberine and rhein can form macromolecular complexes, ephedrine and glycyrrhizic acid can not.