OBJECTIVEThe contents of bererine, palmatine and glycyrrhizin acid in Banxiaxiexintang decoction of different combinations were determined by PR-HPLC.

METHODA Shim-pack CLC-ODS column was used with a mobile phase of CH3CN-H2O (31:69; 0.005 moL.L-1 -pentanesulfonic acid sodium salt, H3PO4: pH 3.0) for bererine andpalmatine, which were detected at the wavelength of 275 nm. A YWG-C18 column was used with a mobile phase of CH3OH-H2O-HAc(62:37:1) for glycyrrhizin acid which was detected at the wavelength of 260 nm.

RESULTEach herbs' combination influences the contents of the 3 components.

CONCLUSIONThe experiment is an attempt to study the comical foundation of traditional Chinese prescription.

Berberine ; analysis ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVECombining the quantitative physical property characteristics of the appearance with the internal quality evaluation index, its aims to provide experimental basis for the classification and quality evaluation of Coptis chinensis.

METHODFourteen batches of C. chinensis from different areas were respectively measured in size (total length, total width, root length, taproot diameter, branch number, branch length, branch diameter, length of the bridge, weight), color (external color, internal color), content (epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine, berberine). Then the determination data were evaluated by spss principal component analysis and cluster analysis.

RESULTThree principal components were extracted from the original data. The principal component analysis results showed that the characteristic elements might be the total length, main root length, taproot diameter, branch length, weight, the total color value of the appearance and content of epiberberine and berberine. The results of cluster analysis showed that 14 batches of samples could be clustered reasonably into two groups. In terms of the appearance and quality, there were some differences between in the geo-authentic and non-authentic producing areas of C. chinensis.

CONCLUSIONThe method which was combining the quantitative physical property characteristics of the appearance with the internal quality evaluation index, and through the processing of mathematical statistics, could be used for the the classification of C. chinensis.

Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; Coptis ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo develop a HPLC method to determine the content of jatrorrhizine, palmatine, berberine, and obacunone in Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex simultaneously. MEHTOD: The separations were carried out at 25 degrees C on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with acetonitril and water containing 0.1% phosphoric acid in gradient mode. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), detection wavelengthes were 345 nm for jatrorrhizine , palmatine, berberine and 210 nm for obacunone.

RESULTThe average recoveries of jatrorrhizine, palmatine, berberine, and obacunone were 98.94%, 101.17%, 96.22% and 98.90%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple, accurate and repeatable, and can be used in content determination of jatrorrhizine, palmatine, berberine, and obacunone in Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex.

Benzoxepins ; analysis ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Limonins ; analysis ; Phellodendron ; chemistry

In order to clarify the characteristic components of Berberidis Cortex,the preparative liquid chromatography and spectral analysis methods were used to separate and identify the unknown components in the water extract of Berberidis Cortex. Two compounds were isolated and identified as bufotenidine and ferulic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. They were both isolated for the first time from Berberidis Cortex and Berberis. In addition,an HPLC method was successfully established for simultaneously determination of six compounds in Berberidis Cortex,and chemometric methods were used to study the chemical differences among three main species of Berberidis Cortex. The results suggested that jatrorrhizine and bufotenidine are the main difference compounds among the three species.Compared with B. kansuensis and B. diaphana,B. vernae contains significantly more jatrorrhizine(P<0. 01),and the content of bufotenidine in B. vernae was significantly higher than that in B. kansuensis(P<0. 05). Considering these results,further research is necessary to reveal the pharmacological activities of bufotenidine and the pharmacodynamic differences between the three species. The results could provide a reference for quality control,the basic research on effective substances,and development of Berberidis Cortex.
Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Berberis ; chemistry ; classification ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Phytochemicals ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo develop a HPLC method for determining the content of protopine in Corydalis racemose.

METHODAnalysis was performed on a Gemini C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with acetonitrile-water containing 0.8% triethylamine and 3% acetic acid acetum (20:80) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was 289 nm.

RESULTThe average content of protopine in Herb of Racemose Corydalis was 0.905%. The calibration curve of protopine was linear between 0.124-1.36 microg (r = 0.9999). The average recovery was 98.49% with RSD 1.9%.

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple, reproducible and can be used to determine the content of protopine in C. racemose.

Benzophenanthridines ; analysis ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo examine the feasibilities of the method, quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) for determination of four alkaloids in Xianglian preparations.

METHODA HPLC method was developed to determine the contents of four alkaloids, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine and berberine in Xianglian preparations. Berberine was selected as the internal reference substance, and 3 relative correction factors to berberine were calculated. The contents of the four alkaloids in 16 batches of samples were determined by both external standard method and QAMS. The new method was evaluated by comparing the quantitative results with of the external standard method.

RESULTNo significant differences were found between the quantitative results of four alkaloids in 16 batches of samples determined by the two methods.

CONCLUSIONQAMS is feasible for determination of four alkaloids simultaneously, and the developed method can be used for quality control of Xiang Lian preparations.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; standards ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the solubility of Rhizoma Coptidis' main chemical constituents and the proportion of Rhizoma Coptidis and Fructus Evodiae.

METHOD9 samples were selected in which the proportion of Rhizoma Coptidis and Fructus Evodiae were 1:0, 6:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:6 and 0:1, respectively. The samples' water-extracts were analyzed by RP-HPLC. Then solubility changes of eight chemical constituents were calculated, and the regression equations were established.

RESULTAmong the eight chemical constituents, one was independent on the change of proportion of Rhizoma Coptidis and Fructus Evodiae, six having linear relationship. A new constituent was detected, and there was nonlinear relationship between its quantity and the proportion of the couple.

CONCLUSIONThe solubility of Rhizoma Coptidis' main chemical constituents declines almost in the same scale when Rhizoma Coptidis and Fructus Evodiae are used as a couple, and a new constituent has been detected which can't be found in the mono-extraction.

Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Evodia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Solubility

OBJECTIVETo study the dynamic change of the ingredients of Coptis chinensis and evaluate the quality of the crude drugs from main producing areas.

METHODThe ingredients of samples from Shizhu and Wuxi counties in Chongqing, Hongya and Dayi counties in Sichuan, Zhenping county in Shanxi, Lichuan county in Hubei were analyzed for berberine, coptisine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine and the total alkaloids by HPLC and UV methods.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe contents of measured indexes were mostly highest in 5-years-old C. chinensis. Considering factors such as the yield, it is reasonable to harvest the 5-years-old C. chinensis. There are minor differences in condents of C. chinensis from different areas, all tested samples met the pharmacopoeial standards. It is concluded that the general quality of C. chinensis was good and acceptable.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coptis ; chemistry ; classification ; Ecosystem ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

AIMTo study the thermodynamics of precipitation reaction and kinetics between berberine and rheinic acid. The former is the main compound in rhubarb root or corktree bark, the latter is a representation of anthraquinone compounds that are the main kind compound in coptis rhizome. The precipitate produced in preparation of complex prescription of Chinese herbal medicines Xiexin decoction and Shaoyao decoction had made an appeal. The work should build a good basement for two decoctions research and development.

METHODSCapillary electrophoresis (CE) and front analysis methods are used for determining two compounds' equilibrium concentration at different precipitate conditions to calculate the constants of thermodynamics and kinetics.

RESULTSThe molar ratio of berberine and rheinic acid in precipitate is 1:1. The solubility product constant Ksp = [B] [R] = (3.29 +/- 0.19) x 10(-9) mol2.L-2. The precipitate reaction is an endotherm process and Ksp shows less effect by temperature. The reaction occurred immediately even though the precipitate cannot be observed in time. The precipitate process in experiments is practically just an aging or grown process of the precipitate particles. High temperature can quicken the aging.

CONCLUSIONThe precipitate in Chinese herbal medicines Xiexin decoction and Shaoyao decoction should be resulted from anthraquinone compounds and alkaloids. The reproductivity of capillary electrophoresis can be improved for simple sample by combining peak height measurement.

Anthraquinones ; analysis ; chemistry ; Berberine ; analysis ; chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Drug Interactions ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; Solubility

OBJECTIVETo establish the control substance of plant drug (CSPD) of Coptis chinensis Franch. and its proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints for the purpose of original identification.

METHODSThe CSPD and their 1H NMR and HPLC fingerprints of Coptis chinensis were obtained by standardized procedure. Chemical components were isolated from the CSPD by silica gel column chromatography. By elucidation of their structures, the assignments of the characteristic signals in fingerprints could be achieved. RESULTS; The 1H NMR and HPLC fingerprints of the samples from various sources had wonderful reproducibility and characteristic features. Furthermore, five main compounds were isolated from CSPD and their structures were authenticated by spectral analysis as palmatine chloride, berberine chloride, epiberberine chloride, coptisine chloride, and jatrorrhizine chloride, respectively. The 1H NMR and HPLC fingerprints of the CSPD of Coptis chinensis showed mainly the characteristic signals of the berberine-type compounds isolated in this work.

CONCLUSIONThe 1H NMR and HPLC fingerprints of the CSPD of Coptis chinensis exhibit the structures and total composition of the main active constituents in it, and can be used for its original identification and quality evaluation.

Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control