[A quantitative method for simultaneous assay of seven active ingredients with one marker in Scrophularia ningpoensis root].

To establish a new quantitative method for simultaneous determination of multi-components in Scrophularia root by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and validate its feasibilities．Meanwhile,using catalpol as one chemical reference substance to establish the relative correct factors and relative retention values of aucubin,harpagide,acteoside,angoroside C,harpagoside and cinnamic acid．Then using the quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker (QAMS)model,the six analytes can be quantitatively determined in Scrophularia root．The method was evaluated by comparison of the quantitative results to external standard method．No significant differences were observed between the quantitative results of the two methods．The obtained RCFs were credible．It is feasible and suitable to evaluate the quality of Scrophularia root.

[Investigate optimum conditions and determinate changes of ß-glucosidase activity in Scrophularia root under different drying conditions].

To explore the optimum conditions of ß-glucosidase activity in Scrophularia root by using pNPG method. The extraction conditions and reaction conditions (such as extraction liquid type, reaction system, reaction time, temperature, and substrate concentration) were screened by using monofactorial experiment and homogeneous design. Then the changes of ß-glucosidase activity in Scrophularia root were detected at the drying temperature of 40-100 ℃. The results showed that citric acid phosphate buffer had better extraction effect, and the maximum absorbance produced by enzymatic reaction was present at 50 ℃ environment after reaction for 30 min. Homogeneous design experiment determined that the optimal conditions were as follows: optimal extraction liquid pH 7.0; enzymatic reaction system pH 6.0; substrate concentration 20 mmol•L⁻¹. The change of enzyme activity was affected by drying temperature and water loss rate. In the drying temperature of 60-100 ℃, the enzyme activity was reduced rapidly with the increase in water loss rate, while the activity was seen even with 0% of water at 40 and 50 ℃. This study has laid the theoretical foundation for research of hydrolysis mechanism of iridoid glycosides and optimum drying process.

Ephedra resource in Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces 2007.

Wild Ephedra plants growing near the Tibetan border of Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces and north-central Sichuan were surveyed and their DNA and ephedrine alkaloids content were analyzed. By analysis of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS) 1 DNA, E. likiangensis was found to be the dominant species in these regions, which clustered into 2 major groups in the phylogenic tree. Most Ephedra plants in these regions of ordinal size contained ephedrine and pseudoephedrine of more than 0.7%, the requirement for Japanese Pharmacopoeia 15th edition, suggesting that they have potential for crude drug production of Ephedra herbs.