[The quality standard study on Hugan qingzhi tablets].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method of quality control for Hugan qingzhi tablets. METHODS: Fructus Crataegi, Rhizoma Alismatis and Radix Notoginseng were identified by TLC. HPLC was used for the determination of ursolic acid in Hugan qingzhi tablets. RESULTS: The chromatographic spots were identified without the interference of negative control. Ursolic acid had a good linearity over the concentration range of 40-200 microg/mL (r = 1.000). The average recoveries was 99.05% with relatively standard deviations of 1.3%. CONCLUSION: This method is reliable, accurate and specific and can be used for the quality control of Hugan qingzhi tablets.

[Micronization of magnolia bark extract by RESS as well as dissolution and pharmacokinetics evaluation].

The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility and superiority of using rapid expansion of supercritical solution (RESS) technology in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. The extract of magnolia bark (EMB) was obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide (SCF-CO2) extraction technology. Microparticles of EMB were manufactured by RESS technology. The effects of operating temperature and pressure on the contents of the active ingredient in the particles were evaluated by HPLC. The effect of expansion conditions on the particle size distribution of EMB particles was investigated. The smallest sample (mean size: 4.7 microm) was obtained under the RESS condition: pressure of 25 MPa, temperature of 50 degrees C and a nozzle size of 100 microm. The characteristics of microparticles were also studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and image analysis. The dissolution rate study showed that microparticles had a significantly faster dissolution rate than normal material particles. After oral raw EMB suspension, the mean areas under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC(0-t)) of honokiol and magnolol were found to be (4.23 +/- 0.36) and (5.46 +/- 0.57) mg x h x L(-1), respectively, which were increased significantly, i.e. (5.41 +/- 0.63) and (7.24 +/- 0.83) mg x h x L(-1) when micronized EMB suspension was administered orally in SD rats (P < 0.05). Similarly, the mean maximum plasma concentrations of honokiol and magnolol increased from (1.55 +/- 0.22) and (2.35 +/- 0.14) mg x L(-1) (raw EMB) to (2.31 +/- 0.17) and (2.84 +/- 0.21) mg x L(-1) (micronized EMB), respectively. The results of t-test demonstrated that AUC(0-t) and Cmax value for honokiol and magnolol was significantly increased with the micronization compared to raw EBM (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that the RESS was applicable for preparing microparticles of EMB at low operating temperature. The process was simple, free of environment pollution and without residual solvent.

Determination of L-sesamin and L-asarinin in Zanthoxylum(Roxb.) DC. by high performance liquid chromatography.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for determining the content of L-sesamin and L-asarinin indifferent parts of Zanthoxylum(Roxb.)DC. METHOD: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was utilized for this purpose with the column of HYPERSIL BDS C18 and the mobile phase containing acetonitrile and water (50:50), the detection wavelength being 287 nm. RESULTS: The average recovery rates for L-sesamin and L-asarinin were 100.13% and 1.61% and their relative standard deviation (RSD) were 101.24% and 1.46% respectively. CONCLUSION: The method can be used for the quality control of Zanthoxylum(Roxb.)DC, and the roots of this herb contains more L-sesamin and L-asarinin than its other parts do.

[Observations on the efficacy of Botai ointment in treating dermatosis common among armed forces receiving at-sea training].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of Botai ointment in the treatment of common dermatosis. METHODS: Botai ointment was the only drug applied for the treatment. The ointment was smeared on the affected area twice daily for 4 weeks. RESULTS: The total efficacy rates were 96% for eczema, 100% for eczematous dermatitis, 97% for contact dermatitis, 92% for folliculitis, 96% for tinea manuum or tinea pedis, 97% for tinea corporis or tinea cruris. CONCLUSION: Botai ointment is effective in the treatment of common dermatosis.

Analysis with gas chromatography and mass spectrography of volatile components of Ligusticum wallichii Franch extracted by CO2 supercritical fluid extraction in combination with molecular distillation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possibility of using the technique of CO2 supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) combined with molecular distillation (MD) to extract, separate and purify the volatile components of Ligusticum wallichii Franch, a Chinese herbal medicine. METHODS: SFE was employed to extract the volatile components of Ligusticum wallichii Franch, followed by MD of the product. Analysis of the chemical constituents of the extract both before and after MD was performed with gas chromatography (GC) in conjunction with mass spectrography (MS). RESULTS: There were 45 kinds of chemical constituents in the extract of Ligusticum wallichii Franch yielded from SFE, among which 39 were left after distillation by MD. Changes also took place in the content of the constituents in the extract after distillation. CONCLUSIONS: SFE combined with MD, a technique better than simple SFE, can be used to extract, separate and purify the volatile components of Chinese herbs.

[Determination of rat serum emodin level by microemulsion liquid chromatography with direct sample loading].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a microemulsion liquid chromatography system with direct sample loading for determining the serum level of emodin in rats. METHODS: The separation was performed on C18 column (Hypersil BDS, 5 µm,150 mm×4.6 mm) with the microemulsion mobile phase consisting of 3.3% (w/V) SDS, 6.6% (V/V) n-butyl alcohol, and 1.0% (V/V) octane and water. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and the detection wavelength was 254 nm. RESULTS: The linear range of emodin detection was 0.333-5.32 µg/ml. The average recovery was 99.65% with a RSD of 3.60%. The limit of quantification was 0.1386 µg/mL. CONCLUSION: Microemulsion liquid chromatography system with direct sample loading allows simple, accurate and rapid determination of emodin in rat serum.

[Preparation of tanshinone transfersome and its deformability].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare tanshinone transfersome (TTs) and evaluate its deformability. METHODS: The transfersomes were prepared by film dispersion method followed by sonication, and their physical properties, morphology, content, entrapment efficiency, particle size, polydispersity, and Zeta potential were investigated. The stability and deformability of TTs were studied. Liposomes with different molar ratios of cholate and lecithin were compared for their permeability under external pressure. RESULTS: The prepared TF were spherical vesicles with content of 1.0192+/-0.075 mg/ml, entrapment efficiency of (62.3+/-0.08)%, particle size of 110 nm, polydispersity of 0.19 and Zate potential of -15.0 mV. The TTs remained stable during light-proof preservation for 3 months at 4 degrees C, and sodium cholate contributed to the flexibility of the lecithin vesicles. CONCLUSION: TTs prepared by film dispersion method has good entrapment efficiency and stability. The vesicles possess high deformability in relation to the molar ratio of sodium cholate to lecithin and the external pressure.