Quantum Dots (QDs) with its unique optical properties including broad-range excitation, sizetunable narrow emission spectra and the adjustable emission wavelength by changing the size of core composition, is widely applied in biomedicine as a fluorescent marker in recent years. This paper focuses on the review of the characteristic of ODs, the prospects of its applications in biological and medical areas and the latest research development.Moreover,key issues including the potential toxicity of ODs are discussed.

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the microwave assisted extraction technology of icariin from Epimedii Folium. METHODS: The microwave assisted extraction technology of icariin from Epimedii Folium was optimized by L9(34)orthogonal design using extraction temperature, extraction time, alcohol concentration,ratio of solid and liquid with the content of icariin as index. RESULTS: The optimal extraction process of icariin was as follows: extraction temperature of 60 ℃,extraction time of 6 min, 30% alcohol and ratio of solid and liquid was 1 ∶ 20. CONCLUSION: The extraction technology is high efficiency and requires short period for extraction of icariin from Epimedii Folium with low cost.