Integrated assessment of medicinal rhubarb by combination of delayed luminescence and HPLC fingerprint with emphasized on bioactivities based quality control.

BACKGROUND: To promote herbal medicine depends largely on its quality. Chromatographic fingerprint is a frequent approach for quality assessment of herbs however with challenges on robust and reproducibility. To develop rapid, cheap and comprehensive measurements as complementary tools for herbal quality control are still urgently needed. Moreover, biological activities are essential for herbal quality, and should be taken into consideration with emphasized in quality control. METHODS: In this research, HPLC fingerprint and delayed luminescence (DL, a rapid and systematic tool) were used to measure the rhubarb samples of multiple species. Statistics were explored to classify these rhubarb samples using data obtained from two analytic methods. In addition, DL properties were linked to specific chemical components which may reflect bioactivities of rhubarb using Spearman's rank correlation. Moreover, mice model was used to evaluate the cathartic effect between rhubarb samples stratifying by two analytic methods. RESULTS: We found that there was no significant difference of chemical fingerprints and DL signals among the different species of medicinal rhubarb. However, our results show a high similarity between HPLC fingerprint analysis and DL measurements in classification of these rhubarb samples into two sub-groups. In addition, the two sub-groups of rhubarb samples that may have different cathartic activities. CONCLUSION: This approach provides new leads for development of herbal quality assessment based on bioactivity. In conclusion, integrated assessment by measuring HPLC fingerprint and DL with emphasized on bioactivity may provide novel strategy for herbal quality control.

[Investigation on medicinal plant resources of Glycyrrhiza uralensis in China and chemical assessment of its underground part].

OBJECTIVE: In order to find out the current situation of wild and cultivated resources of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, at the same time, the contents of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin were detected by HPLC. METHOD: Field investigation was carried out, and chemical composition of collected underground part was analyzed in laboratory. RESULT: The natural distribution range of wild G. uralensis in China has no significant change. We can still find its distribution in the distribution areas recorded ten years ago, but the intensity of species group has greatly changed. Estimated according to the survey data obtained by quadrat reserves and distribution (i.e., reserves per unit area) or cultivation area, that the current wild reserves is less than 500,000 tons and the less than 150,000 tons for cultivated. The analysis results of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin contents in 99 wild samples of collected underground part show that the average contents of glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin were respectively 34.8, 17.3 mg x g(-1), of which 61.6% samples can reach the standard (not less than 20, 10 mg x g(-1)) marked by "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" (2005 edition); The average glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin contents of cultivated samples were respectively 28.5, 15.3 mg x g(-1), which were much lower than the wild samples. CONCLUSION: We should enhance efforts in protecting the wild resources, strive to improve the quality of cultivated herbs, vigorously develop high-quality G. uralensis cultivation industries and promote farmers income to resolve the resource crisis, which is the reasonable way to achieve continuable use of G. uralensis resources.

[Enhance technique researches on Glycyrrhiza industries, promote three-dimensional rural economic development in three-north areas].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the current situation about Glycyrrhiza resources, summarize the research achievements on Glycyrrhiza relative industries, and indentify the importance of developing Glycyrrhiza industries to promote the three-dimensional rural economic development in the Three-North areas. METHOD: Literatures and documents were referred to, in combination with overview and analysis of the outcomes and achievements of our group. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The gap between supply and demand of resources is enlarged continuously. To develop high-quality Glycyrrhiza cultivation is the most powerful and effective measure to protect wild resources and the environment and promote the three-dimensional rural economic development in the Three-North areas.