title: Simultaneous determination of four sesquiterpenoids in Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma by GC-FID: optimisation of an ultrasound-assisted extraction by central composite design.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma (AMR) is a traditional Chinese medicine containing several sesquiterpenoids with a series of effects. These bioactive compounds may be used as chemical markers for the quality control of AMR. It is necessary to optimise the extraction method and conditions in order to improve extraction productivity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop a simple and effective method for the extraction of sesquiterpenoids from AMR and then to simultaneously determine four sesquiterpenoids, selina-4 (14), 7(11)-dien-8-one (SA), atractylenolide II (AII), atractylenolide III (AIII) and atractylenolide VII (AVII), in AMR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was optimised by central composite design (CCD) to obtain the maximum efficiency. The gas chromatography method was validated and applied for the quantification of four sesquiterpenoids.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The optimum values of factors were: particle size (120 mesh), extraction time (26 min), extraction temperature (39°C) and 31 mL of chloroform. The selectivity, linear range, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), accuracy, precision and repeatability of the method developed indicated its validity. The application of the method showed that the contents of four sesquiterpenoids in AMR were rather variable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicated that the described GC method could be used for the quality control of AMR and its related preparations. Meanwhile, this research revealed that UAE under optimum conditions could be considered as a powerful tool for the extraction of phytochemicals from plants.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Engineering Laboratory for TCM Standardization Technology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhangjiang, Shanghai 201203, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yang-Yang
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Shu-Hong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Ren-Neng
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Si-Jia
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: De-An
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D031174:Atractylodes / Q000737:chemistry*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D007783:Lactones / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D057230:Limit of Detection; D016014:Linear Models; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010316:Particle Size; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D007783:Lactones; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C458582:atractylenolide II; C424802:atractylenolide III; C575797:selina-4 (14),7(11)-dien-8-one