The present study investigated the chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. The ethanol extract of the aerial parts of G. uralensis was separated and purified by different column chromatographies such as macroporous resin, silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20, and through preparative HPLC and recrystallization. Thirteen compounds were isolated and identified as(2S)-6-[(Z)-3-hydroxymethyl-2-butenyl]-5,7,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxy-dihydroflavanone(1),(2S)-8-[(E)-3-hydroxymethyl-2-butenyl]-5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxy-dihydroflavanone(2), α,α'-dihydro-5,4'-dihydroxy-3-acetoxy-2-isopentenylstilbene(3), 6-prenylquercetin(4), 6-prenylquercetin-3-methyl ether(5), formononetin(6), 3,3'-dimethylquercetin(7), chrysoeriol(8), diosmetin(9),(10E,12Z,14E)-9,16-dioxooctadec-10,12,14-trienoic acid(10), 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6-prenyl-dihydroflavanone(11), naringenin(12), dibutylphthalate(13). Compounds 1-3 are new compounds, and compounds 10 and 13 are isolated from aerial parts of this plant for the first time.
Glycyrrhiza uralensis/chemistry* ; Plant Components, Aerial/chemistry*

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to optimize the testing methods for seed quality, and to provide a basis for establishing seed testing rules and quality grading standard of Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

METHODReferring to the International Seed Testing Rules made by ISTA and Rules for agricultural seed testing (GB/T 3543-1995) issued by China, the seed quality of G. uralensis from different collection areas was measured.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe seed testing methods for quality items of G. uralensis, including sampling, purity analysis, verification of genuineness, weight of 1 000 seeds, percentage germination, moisture content and seed viability of G. uralensis had been initially established.

Germination ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; physiology ; Seeds ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change regularity of ephedrine and glyrihhzine acid in Ephedra sinila and Glycyrrhiza uralencis pair medicines and in Maxing Shigan decoction.

METHODThe contents of ephedrine and glycyrrhizic acid were determined by HPLC in samples of E. sinica extracts, G. uralencis extracts, pair medicines extracts of Maxing Shigao decoction sinica and G. uralencis, and extracts of E. sinica.

RESULTThere were no significant difference in ephedrine contents amoung different samples; the contents of glycyrrhizic acid were lower in decoctions of Maxing Shigan decoction than in G. uralencis decoction and pair medicines extracts.

CONCLUSIONMacromolecular complex was NOT formed by ephedrine and Glycyrrhizic acid in decoctions containing pair medicines of E. sinica and G. uralencis.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Ephedra sinica ; chemistry ; Ephedrine ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo develop the preparation method of licorice juice as a processing excipient and to determine the proper proportion of licorice juice and fructus evodiae during process.

METHODNine experiments were carried out through L9 (3(4)) orthogonal design. The wetting results were compared by using different proportion of licorice juice and fructus evodiae.

RESULTThe optimal preparation process was as follows: the licorice roots were cutted into slices and 12 times of water was added. Then they were decocted for 1 h. The second and third decoction were also carried out by 12 times of water and 1 h. The proper proportion of licorice juice and fructus evodiae was 1:1.

CONCLUSIONThe preparation process is scientific and suitable to prepare the processing excipient.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Evodia ; chemistry ; Excipients ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEIn order to understand the glycyrrhizin content range in the wild and cultivated Glycyrrhiza uralensis in China and to find the related influencing factors of glycyrrhizin content.

METHODThe glycyrrhizin content of 165 wild and 1 013 cultivated G. uralensis samples from 37 countries in 9 provinces was determined by HPLC, and the effects of the producing region, medicinal parts, cultivation years, soil type and texture on the glycyrrhizin content were analyzed.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe average glycyrrhizin content was (4.43 +/- 1.32)% in the wild G. uralensis population, and (1.51 +/- 0.49)% in the cultivated and the glycyrrhizin content in the cultivated was less than the minimum sandards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The glycyrrhizin content was significant different in the wild and cultivated G. uralensis in different producing regions, respectively. The glycyrrhizin content in roots and rhizome of the wild G. uralensis had no significant difference, it had no significant difference in the cultivated G. uralensis from 1 to 4 years and it increased rapidly after 5 years, and the effects of the soil types and texture on it were significant.

China ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; analysis

In order to study the spectral reflectance differences of Glycyrrhizae Radix under different growth conditions and lay the foundation for quantitative monitoring of Glycyrrhizae Radix remote sensing images, spectra of Glycyrrhiza species under different growth period and different varieties and different regions were measured by a portable spectrometer. The results showed that the reflectivity of annual G. uralensis was obviously higher than that of the two years plant in the visible light band own to the contents of crown layer chlorophyll. The reflectivity of two years G. pallidiflora was higher than that of G. uralensis in the near infrared band own to the leaf area index and the content of leaf water. The red edge spectrum of annual plant fluctuated largely than that of two years plant due to vegetation coverage and leaf area index. G. pallidiflora grew well than G. uralensis. Under different regions of the Glycyrrhiza species, spectral data analysis showed that within a certain range, the average annual precipitation and average annual evaporation were the major factors to affect the differences of Glycyrrhiza species spectral data under different regions owe to the leaf water content, the higher leaf water content, the lower spectral reflectance. The principal component analysis and continuum-removed method of the spectral data under different regions found that, within a certain range, the average annual precipitation and average annual evaporation were the major factors caused by the differences of Glycyrrhiza species spectral data under the different regions, Glycyrrhiza species spectral similarity related to the spatial distance.
Geography ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis ; Spectrum Analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the performance of AB-8 macroporous adsorption resin for adsorption and desorption of flavones in liquorice.

METHODSThe concentration of flavones in liquorice was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, and the adsorption behavior of AB-8 macroporous adsorption resin to flavones in liquorice was examined for the adsorption capacity and the volume of solution loaded.

RESULTSOptimal adsorption of flavones was achieved with the sample pH of 5, total flavones concentration in the solution of 0.85 mg/ml, sample flow velocity of 3 BV/h, and washing with 60% ethanol at the flow velocity of 3 BV/h.

CONCLUSIONAB-8 macroporous adsorption resin can be well applicable for enrichment of flavones in liquorice.

Adsorption ; Flavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Macromolecular Substances ; chemistry ; Porosity ; Resins, Synthetic ; chemistry ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

OBJECTIVETo investigate the processing mechanism of Zushima which was stir-fried with licorice.

METHODStudy of pyrolysis characteristics for extraction of Zushima effective part, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol parts and the mixture of Zushima effective parts and licorice solid powder according to the proportion of 10: 1, 10: 2, 10: 3 was carried out in the thermogravimetric analyzer, the simulation of air (N2-O2 4:1) was chosen as carrier gas and heating rate was 5 degrees C x min(-1).

RESULTCompared with TG-DTG curve of Zushima effective parts, the major weightloss temperature range of petroleum ether extraction which has strong stimulation was 320-390 degrees C, 0.69% x min(-1) weightlessness rate peak gradually moved forward with the addition of licorice powder, finally it was merged with the peak around 265 degrees C. In addition, effective department of Zushima at 291, 516 degrees C for 2.38% x min(-1) and 2.42% x min(-1) thermal weightlessness rate peak shift to lower temperature, the moving range were about 20-26, 19-50 degrees C, the former was significantly reduced, the latter was significantly increased.

CONCLUSIONIn the course of programmed temperature heating, petroleum ether department was easy to lose with the addition oflicorice solid powder. At the same time, the main efficacy components of Zushima had a slow loss rate, which supported the processing mechanisms of TG-DTG method to research traditional Chinese medicine, and verified irritating characteristics that stimulus reduced after stir-fried with licorice.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Thermogravimetry ; methods

Grade of Chinese medicine slices is the most clear and most direct way to characterize the quality of Chinese medicine slices,also the basis of realizing " good quality and good prices",and it can guarantee the industry health development. Therefore,grade evaluation of Chinese medicine slices( GECMS) is highly valued and has grown rapidly in the industry. In recent years,due to the comprehensive and measureable features,the Chinese medicine quality constant evaluation method has been gradually recognized and applied.The paper is to establish a method of grades evaluation of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle( GRRPCM) based on the Chinese medicine quality constant. 20 batches of samples were collected from Chinese herbal slices enterprises and 14 batches of qualified samples were selected to determine their external morphological indexes and inner quality indexes,then their Chinese medicine quality constants were calculated and the grades were determined. The results revealed that the relative quality constant of these samples ranged from 0. 70 to 14. 08,with a percentage quality constant from 4. 95 to 100. 00. If these samples were divided into three grades: the relative quality constant shall be ≥11. 27 or percentage quality constant ≥80. 03 for the first grade; the relative quality constant shall be <11. 27 but ≥7. 04,or percentage quality constant <80. 03 and ≥49. 99 for the second grade; while for the third grade,the relative quality constant shall be <7. 04 or the percentage quality constant <49. 99. This research indicates that Chinese quality constant can be used to objectively grade the herbal slices,providing reference for grades standard development of complex processing slices. In addition,the connotation of GECMS that has evaluate the mass discrepancy is discussed for expanding application.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; standards ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Quality constant is a kind of grading evaluation method of traditional Chinese medicine pieces based on the combination of traditional knowledge and modern quality control. This method has been successfully applied in the grading evaluation of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizome pieces and traditional Chinese medicine pieces,and with a positive influence in the industry. With Dachuanxiong Formula for example,different grades of Ligusticum chuanxiong and Gastrodia elata pieces formed high-quality,moderate and qualified Dachuanxiong Formula on the basis of the grading evaluation of the pieces,and the pharmacodynamics method was used to evaluate its efficacy. The results showed that the maximum vascular diastolic rates of Dachuanxiong Formula in the three grades were( 80. 3±5. 2) %,( 67. 0±6. 1) %and( 60. 3±6. 5) %,and the strength of pharmacodynamics was positively correlated with the grade of L. chuanxiong and G. elata pieces.The quality constant technique can objectively and quantitatively classify single decoctions,and has important correlations and prompts for the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions composed of these pieces,with important significance in promoting hierarchical management of the industry,implementing better price for high quality and defining high quality and superior effect.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; standards ; Gastrodia ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry