OBJECTIVE: To investigate the stability of epigallocatechin gallate ( EGCG) powder. METHODS: The content of the sample was determined by HPLC, and the factors affecting the stability of EGCG were studied according to the related guideline stated in China Pharmacopeia. RESULTS: The linear range of EGCG was 7. 76～ 77. 6? g? mL- 1( r=0. 999 9) , with average recovery at 101. 29% ( RSD=0. 76% ) . Exposed to strong illumination, high temperature and high humidity, the color of EGCG powder suffered variant degree of change, but its content experienced no marked change, and no new degraded substances was noted. CONCLUSION: EGCG powder had a sound stability.

Objective To investigate the influence of the pain management path on the postherpetic neuralgia patients. Methods Ninety patients with postherpetic neuralgia were divided into two groups by random digits table method:the control group and the experimental group, 45 cases in each group. The patients in the control group accepted conventional nursing care, the patients in the experimental group accepted the pain management path nursing care. The scores of pain and the overall satisfaction were assessed, the incidence of common adverse reactions at 5 and 10 days after the treatment, hospitalization expenses and hospitalization days were recorded. Results The gender, age, course of disease and degree of pain had no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group at admission (P>0.05). After 5 and 10 days treatment, the scores of pain in the experimental group were (3.07±1.34) , (1.09±0.90) points, and these were (4.29±1.74), (2.27±1.32) points in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (t=3.74, 4.94, all P<0.01). After 5 and 10 days treatment, the scores of the overall satisfaction in the experimental group were (5.50 ± 1.71), (7.96 ± 1.30) points, and these were (4.50 ± 1.60), (7.00 ± 1.50) points in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (t=-2.89,-3.37, all P<0.01). After 10 days treatment, the incidence of constipation was 26.67% (12/45) and 53.33% (24/45) in the experimental group and the control group respectively, the difference was statistically significant between the two groups (χ2=6.667, P<0.05). The hospitalization days were (13.71 ± 3.05) d and (15.76 ± 3.54) d in the experimental group and the control group respectively, the difference was statistically significant between the two groups (t=2.934, P<0.01). The hospitalization expenses were (11798.38 ± 3312.33) yuan and (13972.24 ± 3726.66) yuan respectively, there was significant difference between the two groups (t=2.925, P < 0.01). Conclusions The application of the pain management path for the pain management in patients with postherpetic neuralgia, can relieve the pain, reduce the incidence of adverse effects, hospitalization expenses and days, improve the overall satisfaction of the patients.