[Determination of the total alkaloid content of Rhizoma coptidis in Gegenqinlian prescription].
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.
Dai
Kai-jin
KJ
Department of Chemistry, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Luo
Qi-zhi
QZ
Luo
Jia-bo
JB
Tan
Xiao-mei
XM
Ma
An-de
AD
D001600:Berberine Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*; D000089042:Coptis chinensis; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000032:analysis*; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional
D001600:Berberine Alkaloids; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C107393:Coptidis rhizoma extract