AIM: To compare the ginsenoside Rb 1 content in different granularity of Radix Panacis Quinquefolii in order to confine Chinese medicine by ultramicro powder technique. METHODS: HPLC was used to determine ginsenoside Rb 1 in micropowder of Radix Panacis Quinquefolii.RESULTS:The contents of ginsenoside Rb 1 in micropowder of Radix Panacis Quinquefolii pulverized in normal and low temperature were increasing with particle size reduction, and the content in low temperature pulverization was distinctly higher than that in normal temperature pulverization. CONCLUSIONS: Low temperature pulverization of Radix panacis Quinquefolii is superior to processing at temperature.

Objective To study the effects of tetrandrine on apoptosis of HeLa cervical cancer cells qualitatively and quantitatively. Methods We measured tetrandrine-induced inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation at different concentrations and time points by MTT assay. The rate of Hela cell apoptosis induced by tetrandrine was detected by flow cytometer and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Results Tetrandrine inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells in dosage- and time-dependent manners. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate was (51.8±0.97)% at the concentration of 15μmol/L, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (24.3±1.23)% (P<0.05). The cells treated with tetrandrine showed typical apoptotic morphology under CLSM. Conclusion Tetrandrine can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of HeLa cervical cancer cells.