OBJECTIVETo analyze constituents of traditional Chinese medicine galamina, and provide basis for the quality control of galamina.

METHODPolarization microscope and electron probe were adopted for a qualitative and quantitative analysis on microscopic appearance and micro-area constituents of galamina. Fourty-two elements contained in galamina were determined by the plasma mass-spectrometric method. Zinc oxide, the major constituent of galamina samples, was detected using the pharmacopeia method.

RESULTThe micro-area analysis on galamina samples showed that galamina is mainly constituted by various mineral particulates such as hydrozincite, smithsonite, zinc oxide and dolomite in a loose texture. It is also found that there are many counterfeit galamina sold in the market, marked by a high lead content in natural galamina samples.

CONCLUSIONGalamina is a mineral aggregation of multiple natural mineral substances, but those sold in the market has many quality problems. Therefore, a fast method shall be established to identify the authenticity of galamina and a standard shall be set to control harmful elements contained in galamina. It is suggested to conduct in-depth studies on excessive harmful elements contained in galamina medicinal materials.

Mass Spectrometry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; standards ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; chemistry ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo perfect the current standard of Rhizoma Diosoreae and Rhizoma Diosoreae stir-baked with bran by improving quality standards of the two processed pieces.

METHODThe quality standards were established according to 9 batches of processed pieces, separately. The standards contains items of identification, water, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, extractives, heavy metals limit, organochlorine limit, microbial limit and assay.

RESULTThe TLC of the two pieces was characteristed. The contents of acid-insoluble ash in the two pieces were increased, not more than 0.5%, 0.3%, respectively. The content limits of five kinds of heavy metals and harmful elements, two kinds of residual organochlorine pesticides and three microbial limits were increased. There were no more than 2 x 10(-7) of lead, 2 x 10(-7) of cadmium, 1 x 10(-5) of copper, 3 x 10(-7) of arsenic, 1 x 10(-7) of mercury, 1 x 10(-7) of hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC) and 1 x 10(-7) of chlorophenothane (DDT) in the two processed pieces, respectively. There were no more than 2 000 and 600 cfu x mL(-1) in the two pieces, respectively and no more than 30 MPN x 100 g(-1) and fungi can not be tested in the two pieces. The contents of allantoin in the two pieces were no more than 0.15%.

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple and suitable for the quality control of the two processed pieces.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; standards ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Dioscorea ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the processing technics of prepared slice of Rhizoma Dioscoreae for its industrial production.

METHODThe effect factors, such as stiring temperature (60, 80, 100 degrees C), stiring time (10, 20, 30 min) and the proportion of pieces and wheat bran (100: 5, 100: 10, 100: 15) were evaluated by orthogonal method. The content of allantoin in Rhizoma Dioscoreae was determine by HPLC method.

RESULTThe amount of wheat bran could affect the content of allation significantly, and stiring temperature and stiring time almost had no effect on content of allantoin. The processing technics was tested by industrial produce, according to 11 batches from 4 growing regions. The result showed that the quality of industrial product was stable.

CONCLUSIONThat the amount of wheat bran can affect the quality of Rhizoma Dioscoreae greatly. The determined technics is simple and suitable for prepared slice of Rhizoma Dioscoreae industrival manufacture.

Allantoin ; analysis ; Dietary Fiber ; analysis ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Pinellia ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical

OBJECTIVETo analysis the volatile components of Trogopterus faeces.

METHODThe volatile components of Trogopterus faeces was extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by GC-MS.

RESULTEighty-five volatile components were identified and the main components are cedrol (12.31%) and caryophyllene (7.5%).

CONCLUSIONThe volatile components of the samples are originated from the ingredients or other chemical compositions with similar basic structure of the fodders.

Animals ; Feces ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Sciuridae ; metabolism ; Volatilization

OBJECTIVETo compare pharmacognostic characteristics and microscopic characteristics of Radix Paeoniae Rubra (chishao) from different areas.

METHODPharmacognostic characteristics and microscopic characteristics of Radix Paeoniae Rubra were compared by microscope count methods.

RESULTChishao in duolun was more straighter and longer, cortex with a set of closely spaced rill, peel off easily, pink section, etc. The wild chishao were different from the cultivated chishao on pharmacognostic characteristics and microscopic characteristics, such as appearance shape, smell, vessel arrangement, and number of crystal and starch in unit area.

CONCLUSIONChishao in duolun were different form others, appearance shape, wood fiber, difference of appearance shape, vessel arrangement, and number of crystal and starch in unit area can be used as identificatin feature of the wild chishao and the cultivated chishao.

Araceae ; chemistry ; Benzoates ; analysis ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Glucosides ; metabolism ; Paeonia ; anatomy & histology ; ultrastructure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry