title: Glycyrrhizic acid content in Gegenqinlian decoctions prepared according to different prescriptions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the differences in glycyrrhizic acid contents of Gegenqinlian decoctions (a traditional Chinese herbal preparation) prepared according to varied prescription, so as to establish a referential standard for controlling the acid level in such preparations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was employed to determine the content of glycyrrhizic acid in different Gegenqinlian decoctions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glycyrrhizic acid contents in the decoction of exclusive liquorice was 0.89%, and in Gegenqinlian decoctions composed of 2 or 3 ingredients, the acid contents varied from 0.24%, to 0.59%,.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of the constituents in Gegenqinlian decoction such as radices puerarire, radices scutellariae and coptis may significantly reduce the release of glycyrrhizic acid content from within liquorice into the decoction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: Qing-Hui
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xiao-Mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Jia-Bo
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry*; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D012015:Reference Standards
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C542794:gegenqinlian; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid