title: [Correlation studies of contents of copper and organic components in Astragalus roots].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the relationship between copper and organic components, total flavonoids of Astragalus (TFA), total saponins of Astragalus (TSA) and total polysaccharide of Astragalus (TPA).
  
  
  METHODS
  TFA, TSA and TPA were extracted from Astragalus roots using different organic solvents, and determined by colorimetry. The concentration of copper in extracts was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Copper was found in TFA, TPA and TSA, and its concentration in TFA and TPA was higher; the content of copper was correlated significantly to that of TFA and TPA (r1(2) = 0.754 8, F1 = 57.202, P < 0.01 and r2(2) = 0.499, F2 = 21.906, P < 0.01), while not to that of TSA ( r3(2) = 0.0026, F3 = 0.041, P > 0.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Correlation analysis could reveal the relationship of copper with organic components in Astragalus roots; contents and structure characteristics of organic components might be important factors influencing the distribution of copper in Astragalus roots.
authors.affiliation: China Pharmaceutical University, Jiangsu Narjing, China.
authors.forename: Shu-lan
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Yu-zhu
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D027885:Astragalus propinquus / Q000737:chemistry*; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012503:Saponins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D011134:Polysaccharides; D012503:Saponins; D003300:Copper