Glycyrrhizic acid content in Gegenqinlian decoctions prepared according to different prescriptions.
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.
Zhao
Qing-Hui
QH
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Tan
Xiao-Mei
XM
Luo
Jia-Bo
JB
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry*; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D012015:Reference Standards
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C542794:gegenqinlian; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid