OBJECTIVETo probe into the influences of different granule sizes and to prepare procedures on rational clinical usage of rhubarb based on chemical equivalence.

METHODThe effects of particle size, extract solvent, extract time and repeat times, and pre-extract or pro-extract of rhubarb on the extract amounts of the anthraquinones (AQs) were compared.

RESULTThe different prepare procedures investigated in the paper revealed significant influence on the extract amounts of the AQs and those extracts were not chemical equivalent. Ethanol extracted more AQs than water did, when other conditions were same. When extracted with water, the rhubarb of piece size 0.8-1.2 cm could extract relatively high amount of AQs nearly equal to superfine grinded powders, and the former was cheap. The water extraction of AQs showed an increasing trend with the extraction time extended. And pro-extract manner with water could extract more AQs than pre-extract manner with a extraction time of 30, 60 min. The water extraction of AQs repeated two times exceeded half of the amount of totally six times. When extracted with ethanol, the rhubarb of fine powders could extract relatively high amount of AQs nearly equal to superfine grinded powders. And pre-extract manner with ethanol could extract more AQs than pro-extract manner. The ethanol extraction of AQs increased in 30 min and then increased slower. The ethanol extraction of AQs repeated two times exceeded 70% of the amount of totally six times. So, the optimal conditions for water extraction rhubarb were pro-extract, two times repeated and 30 min per time; and the optimal conditions for ethanol extract were pre-extract, two times repeated and 30 min per time.

CONCLUSIONThe different prepare procedures showed significant influence on the extraction of rhubarb AQs. There is great need to establish a good usage practice (GUP) for Chinese Materia Medica to maintain rational clinical usage.

In this study the reliability and scientificity of organoleptic evaluation for the commercial specification of Chinese medicinal materials (CMM) was investigated with Delphi method, using rhubarb as an example. The consensus panel of panelists being expert in organoleptic evaluation for CMM was cogitatively selected, with high average authority index of 0.81. The average individual repeatability of selected panelists was 85%, while the group repeatability was above 70%. It was found that the career time of the expert had significant influence on the evaluation result (P < 0.05), which suggested that practice makes repeatability. Some panelists of different career type and education background concluded different results, but no statistical significance was found. Furthermore, four predominant organoleptic parameters, shape, color, texture and section characteristics, were selected based on statistics and panelists' discussion to judge the commercial specification of rhubarb. In conclusion, we firstly demonstrated the organoleptic evaluation is an objective and repeatable approach to judge the commercial specification of CMM; and we recommend Delphi method to do validation and standardization for the conventional experiences of traditional Chinese medicine.
Delphi Technique ; Rheum ; standards ; Sensation

Cathartics ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Rheum ; chemistry

This study was conducted to investigate the wild and cultivated resource situation of Rheum tanguticum in main production area of China, estimate its reserves, and put forward the feasible approach for the sustainable utilization of R. tanguticum. On the basis of the literature data about R. tanguticum, conbined with interview, investigation and sampling investigation, the total reserve of resources is estimated using the route-quadrat method and the vegetation and soil-type map area method proposed by our research group. The results indicate that there is no obvious change between the present distribution ranges of the wild R. tanguticum and its historical records, but its population density has changed clearly. The reserve of the wild R. tanguticum has seriously declined in lots of place, even faced the exhaustion in some regions. According to the investigation, the resource reserve of the wild R. tanguticum is no more than 5 000 t, and the cultivated is about 1 607 t. The resource reserve of the wild R. tanguticum is nearly depleted, and this suggests that the wild R. tanguticum should be enrolled in the protection plant list, and the cultivated will become the main resource of Rhubarb in the future. So it is extremely neccessary to collect and protect the germplasm resource of R. tanguticum, establish the germplasm nursery and repository, and conduct breeding research on those bases.
China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Rheum ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of different chromatographic conditions on QAMS relative correlation factors (RCF) and relative retention values (RT(R)).

METHODC18 columns were used with methyl alcohol-0.4% phosphoric acid water (85: 15) as the mobile phase. The detection wavelength was 254 nm, the column temperature was 30 degrees C, and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The five anthraquinones in Rhei Radix et Rhizoma were selected to be the objects of study. The RCF and RT(R) among aloe-emodin, rhein, chrysophanol, physcion and emodin were determined under different chromatographic conditions.

RESULTTheir RCFs showed no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONThe RCFs among anthraquinones established by QAMS can be used as a constant in content determination of traditional Chinese medicines/patent traditional Chinese medicines.

OBJECTIVETo compare the contents of five anthraquinone components in five different processed products from Rheum palamatum.

METHODThe contents of aleo-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion were determined simultaneously by HPLC on plogilent TC-C18 (2) column at 35 degrees C with the methanol-0.1% phosphoric acid (85: 15). The detection wavelength was set at 254 nm and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1).

RESULTThe obtained linearity of the five components was better over 0.999 9 and the average recoveries were 96.44%, 98.11%, 99.30%, 98.00% and 97.86%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe results showed the remarkable variation regulations show in the five different processed products. Compared to the no-parched pieces, the contents of the five anthraquinone components have evidently increased in the braising with liquor and the charring products, and reduced in the vinegar and the liquor sauted pieces.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) on absorption kinetic parameters of rhubarb free anthraquinones.

METHODSEleven healthy Beagle dogs were randomly divided into the normal group (n = 6) and the SAP group (n = 5). The SAP animal model was prepared by surgery through portal vein blood channel building to collect blood from normal dogs and dogs with SAP. The free anthraquinones (20 mg/kg) was given by gastrogavage. The concentrations of five anthraquinones (aloe emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion) in the blood plasma of the portal vein and the femoral artery were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The kinetic parameters were calculated using MATLAB2007B Software. The half life (t(1/2Ka)), the absorption peak time (Tmax), the peak concentration (Cmax), the area under the curve [AUC(0-infinity)], and the mean residence time (MRT) were calculated using the statistical moment method. The transport velocity of corresponding medicines from the gastrointestinal tract to the blood (ka) was calculated.

RESULTSThere was no difference in the chemical composition absorption type of the portal vein and the femoral artery between the two groups. Aloe emodin could be detected in the portal vein of each animal at each time point, and they were in the quantitative range. Rhein could be detected in the portal vein of each animal at each time point, and they were lower than the quantitative limit at few time points. Emodin and chrysophanol could be detected in the portal vein of partial animals at each time point, and most of them were higher than the quantitative limit. Physcion could be detected only in the portal vein of less animals at few time points. Rhein could be detected in the femoral artery at most time points, but the rhein plasma concentration at most time points were lower than the quantitative limit. Lower concentration of aloe emodin, emodin, and chrysophanol could be detected in the femoral artery at only few time points. Physcion was not detected in the femoral artery. The rhein plasma concentration of the femoral artery and the chrysophanol Cmax of the portal vein at 45 min were higher in the SAP group than in the normal group with statistical difference (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the rest indices. The AUC of rhein in the two groups were 59.32% and 66.07% of the total free anthraquinones respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSAP could not obviously affect the absorption kinetics parameters of rhubarb free anthraquinones. The intestinal tract and the liver might possibly play important roles in metabolizing or transforming rhubarb free anthraquinones.

The differences of 34 rhubarb samples collected on the market and at producing area were investigated by chemical analysis on the contents of anthraquinones and chromatographic fingerprints, in order to assess the rationality of the commercial specification of rhubarb. The results indicated that the commercial specification of rhubarb was not correlated to the contents of anthraquinones as well as the price. The chromatographic fingerprints of rhubarb samples from different producing area were dissimilar, while the commercial specifications were difficult to be separated. Generally, the rhubarb samples produced in famous-region contained more anthraquinones. This demonstrated rationality on the traditional records of the famous-region of rhubarb from a chemical view. In this study, it was firstly reported that rhubarb could be categorized into two types, chrysophanol-type and rhein-type, based on the proportion of the two constituents in the total anthraquinones after acid hydrohysis. It was found that the rhubarb samples of rhein-type were mostly produced in famous-regions, such as Qinghai, Xizang, West Sichuan and Gansu. The literatures reported that rhein was superior to chrysophanol at many pharmacological effects and pharmacokinetic properties. Hence, we primarily considered that rhein-type rhubarb might be high-quality. These results were helpful to improve the commercial specification of rhubarb from a view of chemical information.
China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Quality Control ; Rheum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo compare of the contents of two stilbene glycoside in five processed products of Rheum palamatum.

METHODThe contents of trans-3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystilbene-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (a) and trans-3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystilbene-4'-Obeta-D-(6"-O-galloyl)-glucopyranoside (b) were determined by HPLC analysis at 35 degrees C with methanol-1% acetic acid as mobile phase, the wavelengths were set at 280, 300 nm, the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1).

RESULTThe two components could be detected in five processed products, and their contents were more close in the no-parched pieces, the vinegar roasts pieces and the wine roast pieces. However, the contents reduced significantly in other two kinds of pieces which were lower than 80 percent of no-parched pieces.

CONCLUSIONHigh temperature may result in a significant reduction on glycoside in the pieces of rhubarb, and we have received similar results from determination of other glycoside compounds. Further analysis and comparison with the content of their corresponding aglycones, can provide a scientific basis to explain the variation of the material basis in the processed products of rhubarb.

OBJECTIVETo identificate and compare constituents in the HPLC fingerprint of five Chinese herbal pieces from Radix et Rhizoma Rhei.

METHODHPLC analysis was carried out with methyl alcohol 1% glacial acetic acid as gradient elution, changes in five Chinese herbal pieces and medicinal material under 280 nm and 430 nm were compared.

RESULTHPLC fingerprints of the no-parched pieces, the liquor and the vinegar roasts pieces were similar, 24 peaks were identified under 280 nm 19 or 22 peaks could be indicated in the braising with liquor and the charring respectively. Under 430 nm, 8 peaks were identified except the braising with liquor.

CONCLUSIONHPLC fingerprints of the no-parched pieces, the liquor and the vinegar roasts pieces are similar while the changes on chemical composition and the content in braising with liquor and the charring are remarkable.