title: [Process mechanism of Atractylodes macrocephala and conversion of sesquiterpenes].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To research the process mechanism of Atractylodes macrocephala and conversion of sesquiterpenes from it.
  
  
  METHODS
  The contents of atractylenolide I, II and III in the different processed herbal medicines were determined by HPLC. The conversion of the sesquiterpenes was proved by the separation of oxides of atractylone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The contents of atractylenolide I and III increased after frying, and at high temperature the content of atract ylenolide III decreased. After oxidation, atractylone converted to atractylenolide I, III and biatractylenolide, and atractylenolide III converted to atractylenolide II after dehydration when heated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atractylone can convert to atractylenolides during process of A. macrocephala, and the contents of each component are related to the level of process.
authors.affiliation: Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hong-Mei
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Xiao-Bing
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Ke-Wei
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D031174:Atractylodes / Q000737:chemistry*; D003890:Desiccation; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007783:Lactones / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D027343:Rhizome / Q000737:chemistry; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D007783:Lactones; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C424804:atractylenolide I; C458582:atractylenolide II; C424802:atractylenolide III