Determination of mercury with a flow injection quartz tube atomic absorption spectrometry

A method was developed for the determination of micro mercury in the soil, plants and the traditional Chinese medicine using flow injection quartz tube-atomic absorption spectrometry. The effect of the factors such as acidity,. the carrier solution, the flow rate of reductive solution and argon gas, etc. on the determination was studied. When vanadic oxide, nitric acid and sulfuric acid were used to decompose the sample reliable result could be obtained. The characteristic mass of the method is 59 pg, the detection limit is 0.028 mug/L, RSD is < 3.9% and the recovery is in the range of 94% &SIM; 102%.

Capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection of curcumin in Chinese herbal medicine pretreated by solid-phase extraction

In the present study, curcumin from Chinese herbal medicine turmeric was determined by capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection (CE-AD) pretreated by a self-designed, simple, inexpensive solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge based on the material of tributyl phosphate resin. An average concentration factor of 9 with the recovery of >80% was achieved when applied to the analysis of curcumin in extracts of turmeric. Under the optimized CE-AD conditions: a running buffer composed of 15 mM phosphate buffer at a pH 9.7, separation voltage at 16 W, injection for 6 s at 9 W and detection at 1.20 V, CE-AD with SPE exhibited low detection limit as 3 - 10(-8) mol/l (SIN = 3), high efficiency of 1.0(.)10(5) N, linear range of 7(.)10(-4) -3(.)10(-6) mol/l (r = 0.9986) for curcumin extracted from light petroleum. The method developed resulted in enhancement of the detection sensitivity and reduction of interference from sample matrix in complicated samples and exhibited the potential application for routine analysis, especially in food, because a relatively complete process of sample treatment and analysis was described.

End-column amperometric detection of aesculin and aesculetin by capillary electrophoresis

Determination of aesculin (AL) and aesculetin (AT) by capillary electrophoresis with end-column amperometric detection using a 33 mu m microdisk carbon fiber electrode is described. The HDVs, the effect of pH, buffer concentration, injection voltage, injection time and separation voltage on the peak current response (i(p)) of the analytes and the number of theoretical plates (N) were studied. The method has high sensitivity and good reproducibility. Under the optimum condition - 10 mM, pH 9.00 phosphate buffer, 4 s at 9 kV injection, separation at 15 kV and +1.0 V as the detection potential - low detection limits (S/N = 3) of 0.06 and 0.3 mu M were obtained for AL and AT, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over three orders of magnitude. The relative standard deviations (n = 15) of peak current and migration time were 3.9% and 4.6%, and 0.96% and 0.75% for 15 consecutive injections of 5 mu M AL and AT, respectively. The use of this method for the separation and detection of the two compounds present in the traditional Chinese medicine and human urine samples is also reported. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

复方治疗慢性肾衰海洋新药的初步研究

该论文在褐藻多糖硫酸酯已有研究工作的基础上,参考中药治肾病领域有关文献,结合中医药理论,组方成治疗慢性肾衰复方海洋新药-复方褐藻多糖硫酸酯,并进行了复方褐藻多糖硫酸酯的部分药学、初步药效学和急性毒性试验的研究.

Seed Germination of Swertia mussotii,an Important Application in Tibetan Folk Medicine

In this study,the effects of temperature,the growth regulator GA3 and storage conditions on seed germination of the biennial Swertia mussotii Franch were compared in seeds from a natural high altitude alpine site and after one-cycle of artificial cultivation at a low altitude.The untreated seeds from high altitude displayed higher germination than those from low altitude.Both GA3 and storage conditions enhanced germination from all sources.After treatment,the final germination of seeds from different sources shows no distinct difference.These results suggest that:(i) all seeds of this species,irrespective of their sources,have similar kinds of dormancy;(ii) the dormancy of this species can not been broken through one-cycle adaptation in ex situ cultivation and thus might be genetically controlled;(iii) both GA3 and 4℃ cold storage are effective for dormancy breaking in ex situ cultivation of this important medicinal species.

Development of 10 microsatellite loci for Rheum tanguticum (Polygonaceae)

Rhubarb is an important Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, the wild resource has been declining. In order to design appropriate conservation methods for the official species across their natural distributions, it is important to characterize their genetic diversity. Here, we describe the development of 10 new microsatellite loci for AC/TG/CCA in Rheum tanguticum. The microsatellites were enriched using the combined biotin capture method. The polymorphism of each locus was further assessed in 12 individuals from four geographically distinct populations of this species. The number of alleles ranged from three to seven and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.53 to 0.73. All markers have been checked in the other three species in the genus and two of them together comprise the official medicinal rhubarb resource, with R. tanguticum. These microsatellite markers could. provide a useful tool for genetic and conservation studies of the rhubarb species.

Analysis of five pharmacologically active compounds from the Tibetan medicine Elsholtzia with micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

A high performance capillary electrophoresis method with diode array detector detection for the determination of five bioactive ingredients in Tibetan medicine Elsholtzia, namely quercetin, rutin, saussurenoside, kaempferol, and oleanolic acid, has been developed. The effects of several factors, such as the acidity, concentration of running buffer, separation voltage, temperature, and SDS concentration were investigated. The optimal conditions were 44 mmol/L boric acid running buffer (pH 8.5), 45 mmol/L SDS, 16 KV voltage, 20 degrees C, and 10.0% (V/V) of acetonitrile. Under the optimum conditions, five components could be separated with a good baseline resolution within 17 min. The calibration curves showed good linear relationship over the concentration range of 5 x 10(-4)similar to 0.1 mg/mL for quercetin, rutin, saussurenoside, kaempferol, and 1 x 10(-3) similar to 0.1 mg/mL for oleanolic acid. The average recoveries of the method and RSD were ( 99.2%, 3.2%) for quercetin, (102.1%, 2.1%) for rutin, (99.4%, 1.5%) for saussurenoside, (98.9%, 1.8%) for kaempferol, and (99.0%, 2.9%) for oleanolic acid, respectively. The detection limits (S/N = 3) were 1.1 x 10(-4) mg/mL for quercetin, 2.6 x 10(-4) mg/mL for rutin, 1.8 x 10(-4) mg/mL for saussurenoside, 2.9 x 10(-4) mg/mL for kaempferol, and 6.3 x 10(-4) mg/mL for oleanolic acid, respectively. The method was simple, rapid, and reproducible and could be applied for the determination of quercetin, rutin, saussurenoside, kaempferol, and oleanolic acid in Tibetan medicine Elsholtzia, and the assay results were satisfactory.

HPLC-APCI-MS determination of free fatty acids in Tibet folk medicine Lomatogonium rotatum with fluorescence detection and mass spectrometric identification

A simple and sensitive method for the determination of free fatty acids (FFAs) using acridone-9-ethyl-p-toluenesulfonate (AETS) as a fluorescence derivatization reagent by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed. Free fatty acid derivatives were separated on an Eclipse XDB-C-8 column with a good baseline resolution and detected with the fluorescence of which excitation and emission wavelengths of derivatives were set at lambda(ex) 404 and lambda(em) 440 nm, respectively. Identification of 19 fatty acid derivatives was carried out by online post-column mass spectrometry with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source under positive-ion detection mode. Nineteen FFAs from the extract of Lomatogonium rotatum are sensitively determined. The results indicate that the plant Lomatogonium rotatum is enriched with an abundance of FFAs and FFAs of higher contents, which mainly focus on even carbon atoms, C-14, C-16, and C-18. The validation of the method including linearity, repeatability, and detection limits was examined. Most linear correlation coefficients for fatty acid derivatives are > 0.9989, and detection limits (at signal-to-noise of 3: 1) are 12.3-43.7 fmol. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the peak areas and retention times for 19 FFAs standards are < 2.24% and 0.45%, respectively. The established method is rapid and reproducible for the separation determination of FFAs from the extract of Lomatogonium rotatum with satisfactory results.

Determination of five pharmacologically active compounds extracted from Rhodiola for natural product drug discovery with HPLC-APCI-MS

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS) assay for the determination of five pharmacologically active compounds (PAC) extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine, Rhodiola , namely salidroside, tyrosol, rhodionin, gallic acid, and ethyl gallate has been developed. In this method, PAC could be baseline separated and detected with DAD at 275 nm. The validation of the method, including sensitivity, linearity, repeatability, and recovery, was examined. The linear calibration curves were acquired with correlation coefficient >0.999 and the limits of detection LOD (at a signal-to-noise ratio=3:1) were between 0.058 and 1.500 mu mol/L. It was found, that the amounts of PAC varied with different species of Rhodiola . The established method is rapid and reproducible for the separation of five natural pharmacologically active compounds from extracts of Rhodiola with satisfactory results.

Variation of active constituents of an important Tibet folk medicine Swertia mussotii Franch. (Gentianaceae) between artificially cultivated and naturally distributed

Concentrations of seven phytochemical constituents (swertiamarin, mangiferin, swertisin, oleanolic acid, 1,5,8-trihydroxy-3methoxyxanthone, 1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone and 1,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone) of "ZangYinChen" (Swertia mussotii, a herb used in Tibetan folk medicine) were determined and compared in plants collected from naturally distributed high-altitude populations and counterparts that had been artificially cultivated at low altitudes. Levels of mangiferin, the most abundant active compound in this herb, were significantly lower in cultivated samples and showed a negative correlation with altitude. The other constituents were neither positively nor negatively correlated with cultivation at low altitude. Concentrations of all of the constituents varied substantially with growth stage and were highest at the bud stage in the cultivars, but there were no distinct differences between flowering and fruiting stages in this respect. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Burrowing rodents as ecosystem engineers: the ecology and management of plateau zokors Myospalax fontanierii in alpine meadow ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau

1. Plateau zokors, Myospalax fontanierii, are the only subterranean herbivores on the Tibetan plateau of China. Although the population biology of plateau zokors has been studied for many years, the interactions between zokors and plants, especially for the maintenance and structure of ecological communities, have been poorly recognized. In the past, plateau zokors have been traditionally viewed as pests, competitors with cattle, and agents of soil erosion, thus eradication programmes have been carried out by local governments and farmers. Zokors are also widely and heavily exploited for their use in traditional Chinese medicine.2. Like other fossorial animals, such as pocket gophers Geomys spp. and prairie dogs Cynomys spp. in similar ecosystems, zokors may act to increase local environmental heterogeneity at the landscape level, aid in the formation, aeration and mixing of soil, and enhance infiltration of water into the soil thus curtailing erosion. The changes that zokors cause in the physical environment, vegetation and soil clearly affect the herbivore food web. Equally, plateau zokors also provide a significant food source for many avian and mammalian predators on the plateau. Zokor control leading to depletion of prey and secondary poisoning may therefore present problems for populations of numerous other animals.3. We highlight the important role plateau zokors play in the Tibetan plateau ecosystem. Plateau zokors should be managed in concert with other comprehensive rangeland treatments to ensure the ecological equilibrium and preservation of native biodiversity, as well as the long-term sustainable use of pastureland by domestic livestock.

A molecular marker that is specific to medicinal rhubarb based on chloroplast trnL/trnF sequences

"Da-Huang" (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, medicinal rhubarb), a famous and important Traditional Chinese Medicine, has often been confused with the adulterant species in the same genus, Rheum. Through sequencing the trnL (UAA)/trnF (GAA) regions of chloroplast DNA of thirteen species of Rheum (three medicinal rhubarb species and ten adulterant ones), a molecular marker of the medicinal species was found. A pair of PCR primers based on the sequences, was thus designed, which amplified a highly specific DNA fragment in medicinal rhubarb exclusively, and absent in the adulterants at all under an optimized PCR condition.

两种超微细矿物粉体材料的制备及应用研究

Superfine mineral materials are mainly resulted from the pulverization of natural mineral resources, and are a type of new materials that can replace traditional materials and enjoy the most extensive application and the highest degree of consumption in the present day market. As a result, superfine mineral materials have a very broad and promising prospect in terms of market potential. Superfine pulverization technology is the only way for the in-depth processing of most of the traditional materials, and is also one of the major means for which mineral materials can realize their application. China is rich in natural resources such as heavy calcite, kaolin, wollastonite, etc., which enjoy a very wide market of application in paper making, rubber, plastics, painting, coating, medicine, environment-friendly recycle paper and fine chemical industries, for example. However, because the processing of these resources is generally at the low level, economic benefit and scale for the processing of these resources have not been realized to their full potential even up to now. Big difference in product indices and superfine processing equipment and technologies between China and advanced western countries still exists. Based on resource assessment and market potential analysis, an in-depth study was carried out in this paper about the superfine pulverization technology and superfine pulverized mineral materials from the point of mineralogical features, determination of processing technologies, analytical methods and applications, by utilizing a variety of modern analytical methods in mineralogy, superfine pulverization technology, macromolecular chemistry, material science and physical chemistry together with computer technology and so on. The focus was placed on the innovative study about the in-depth processing technology and the processing apparatus for kaolin and heavy calcite as well as the application of superfine products. The main contents and the major achievements of this study are listed as follows: 1. Superfine pulverization processing of mineral materials shall be integrated with the study of their crystal structures and chemical composition. And special attention shall be put on the post-processing technologies, rather than on the indices for particle size, of these materials, based on their fields of application. Both technical feasibility and economic feasibility shall be taken into account for the study about superfine pulverization technologies, since these two kinds of feasibilities serve as the premise for the industrialized application of superfine pulverized mineral materials. Based on this principle, preposed chemical treatment method, technology of synchronized superfine pulverization and gradation, processing technology and apparatus of integrated modification and depolymerization were utilized in this study, and narrow distribution in terms of particle size, good dispersibility, good application effects, low consumption as well as high effectiveness of superfine products were achieved in this study. Heavy calcite and kaolin are two kinds of superfine mineral materials that enjoy the highest consumption in the industry. Heavy calcite is mainly applied in paper making, coating and plastics industries, the hard kaolin in northern China is mainly used in macromolecular materials and chemical industries, while the soft kaolin in southern China is mainly used for paper making. On the other hand, superfine pulverized heavy calcite and kaolin can both be used as the functional additives to cement, a kind of material that enjoys the biggest consumption in the world. A variety of analytical methods and instruments such as transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared analysis, laser particle size analysis and so on were applied for the elucidation of the properties and the mechanisms for the functions of superfine mineral materials as used in plastics and high-performance cement. Detection of superfine mineral materials is closely related to the post-processing and application of these materials. Traditional detection and analytical methods for superfine mineral materials include optical microscopy, infrared spectral analysis and a series of microbeam techniques such as transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and so on. In addition to these traditional methods, super-weak luminescent photon detection technology of high precision, high sensitivity and high signal to noise ratio was also utilized by the author for the first time in the study of superfine mineral materials, in an attempt to explore a completely new method and means for the study of the characterization of superfine materials. The experimental results are really exciting! The innovation of this study is represented in the following aspects: 1. In this study, preposed chemical treatment method, technology of synchronized superfine pulverization and gradation, processing technology and apparatus of integrated modification and depolymerization were utilized in an innovative way, and narrow distribution in terms of particle size, good dispersibility, good application effects, low consumption as well as high effectiveness of superfine products were achieved in the industrialized production process*. Moreover, a new modification technology and related directions for producing the chemicals were invented, and the modification technology was even awarded a patent. 2. The detection technology of super-weak luminescent photon of high precision, high sensitivity and high signal to noise ratio was utilized for the first time in this study to explore the superfine mineral materials, and the experimental results can be compared with those acquired with scanning electron microscopy and has demonstrated its unique advantages. It can be expected that further study may possibly help to result in a completely new method and means for the characterization of superfine materials. 3. During the heating of kaolinite and its decomposition into pianlinite, the diffraction peaks disappear gradually. First comes the disappearance of the reflection of the basal plane (001), and then comes the slow disappearance of the (hkl) diffraction peaks. And this was first discovered during the experiments by the author, and it has never before reported by other scholars. 4. The first discovery of the functions that superfine mineral materials can be used as dispersants in plastics, and the first discovery of the comprehensive functions that superfine mineral materials can also be used as activators, water-reducing agents and aggregates in high-performance cement were made in this study, together with a detailed discussion. This study was jointly supported by two key grants from Guangdong Province for Scientific and Technological Research in the 10th Five-year Plan Period (1,200,000 yuan for Preparation technology, apparatus and post-processing research by using sub-micron superfine pulverization machinery method, and 300,000 yuan for Method and instruments for biological photon technology in the characterization of nanometer materials), and two grants from Guangdong Province for 100 projects for scientific and technological innovation (700,000 yuan for Pilot experimentation of superfine and modified heavy calcite used in paper-making, rubber and plastics industry, and 400,000 yuan for Study of superfine, modified wollastonite of large length-to-diameter ratio).

Fractionation and analysis of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. by affinity chromatography with human serum albumin as stationary phase

A method for the screening and analysis of biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine is proposed. Affinity chromatography using a human serum albumin (HSA) stationary phase was applied to separate and analyze the bioactive compounds from Artemisia capillaris Thunb. Five major peaks and several minor peaks were resolved based on their affinity to HSA, two of them were identified as scoparone (SCO, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin) and capillarisin (CAP). CAP shows a much higher affinity to HSA than SCO. The effects of acetonitrile concentration, eluent pH, phosphate concentration and temperature on the retention behaviors of several major active components were also investigated, and it was found that hydrophobicity and eluent pH play major roles in changing retention values. The results demonstrate that the affinity chromatography with a HSA stationary phase is an effective way for analyzing and screening biologically active compounds in traditional Chinese medicine. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.