title: [Determination of the total alkaloid content of Rhizoma coptidis in Gegenqinlian prescription].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the total content of alkaloids from Rhizoma coptidis in the traditional Chinese medicine prescription Gegenqinlian.
  
  
  METHODS
  The extract of Gegenqinlian decoction and powder of the minipills were respectively purified with alumina column chromatography, and the total alkaloid content of Rhizoma coptidis in these preparations was determined using ultraviolet spectrophotometry at 350 nm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total alkaloid content was 32.4 mg/g in the aqueous extract of Gegenqinlian decoction and 19.6 mg/g in Gegenqinlian minipills, with a recovery rate of 98.1% (RSD=2.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The method we employed yields accurate and stable results with much sensitivity for quality control of Gegenqinlian minipills, and also provides reference for study of Gegenqinlian prescription and other prescriptions that contain Rhizoma coptidis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: Kai-jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Qi-zhi
authors.initials: QZ
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Jia-bo
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Xiao-mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: An-de
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D001600:Berberine Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*; D000089042:Coptis chinensis; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000032:analysis*; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional
chemical_list: D001600:Berberine Alkaloids; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C107393:Coptidis rhizoma extract