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The Shenzhen Basic Ecological Control Line (SZBECL) has been in operation for more than ten years since its implementation in 2005, which has a significant protective effect on the ecological space. Landscape ecological risk refers to the possible adverse consequences caused by the natural or human-induced interactions between landscape pattern and ecological processes. The scien-tific management of ecological risk is an important prerequisite for the sustainable development of human beings. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the changes of landscape ecological risk inside and outside the SZBECL. Combining two indicators (ecological sensitivity and landscape vulnerability), we comprehensively evaluated the landscape ecological risk of Shenzhen in 2005 and 2015. The difference-in-difference method was used to explore the impacts of the SZBECL on the landscape ecological risk inside the line. Results showed that the landscape ecological risk in Shen-zhen presented a spatial structure of "high west and low east", which decreased by 13.5% during 2005 to 2015. Inside and outside the SZBECL, the declines of the landscape ecological risk were 0.7% and 14.4%, respectively. For the five subzones, declines were more significant outside the SZBECL, except for the eastern coastal zone. After controlling the effects of other variables, at the municipal level, there was 1.8% higher landscape ecological risk inside the line compared with the region outside the line. Furthermore, at the subzone level, there was 1.6%, 1.6%, 1.4%, and 1.9% higher landscape ecological risk inside the line in the central urban zone, the western coastal zone, the middle zone, and the eastern zone, respectively. There was no significant difference between the inside and outside of the line in the eastern coastal zone. With the implementation of SZBECL, habitat quality and landscape vulnerability inside the line were lowered, but NDVI and population density did not change.

The study is aimed to develop a method in evaluation of the bioactive consistency of cardiotonic pill (CP). HepG2 cell line was employed as a biological detector. After treated with CP for 24 h, gene chip and qRT-PCR were used to select m RNAs that can represent the bioactivity of CP. Then similarity between different batches of CP were calculated based on expression levels of marker genes to evaluate the bioactive consistency of CP. Marker genes were selected according to the criteria as follows: 1 fold change < 0.67 or > 1.5; 2 potential relevance to curative effects; 3 extensive involvement in the cellular functions and clustering analysis categories; 4 dose-dependent effect. A total of 10 genes were selected as bioactive markers of CP. Angular cosine was calculated to evaluate the similarity between two samples. The method was validated using intra-day precision and inter-day precision. Using angular cosine similarity, the intra-day and inter-day precision were 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively. The similarities of 6 batches of CDPs ranged from 0.992 to 0.999, and 1 batch of Compound Danshen Tablet was 0.534. The established method is specific and accurate, and provides comprehensive and objective evaluation of bioactive quality of CDPs. It can also benefit the bioactive consistency evaluation of other compounds in traditional Chinese medicines.

Two regression models, based on panel data over the period of 2000-2011, are built and used to analyze what factors determine China's exports of primary and semi-finished products of traditional Chinese medicine to ASEAN. The results indicate that, China GDP, the ratio of ASEAN to China GDP per capita, average export price, the ratio of state-owned assets to total assets, have a significant positive influence on the export volumes of primary products of Chinese medicine. At the same time, RMB appreciation, the ratio of three kinds of foreign-invested assets to total assets, China-ASEAN Early Harvest Program, ASEAN-China Free Trade Area have a significant negative influence. In respect of the export volumes of semi-finished products of Chinese medicine, the significant influential factors are ASEAN GDP and the ratio of ASEAN to China GDP per capita. The former is positive and the latter is negative. In order to optimize the commodity composition of experts, it is needed to increase export volumes of both primary and semi-finished products of Chinese medicine. According to the analysis above, some proposals are put forward, such as, improving the performance of foreign capital, playing an exemplary and leading role in technological innovation by state-owned enterprises, taking advantage of bargaining power of suppliers, increasing outward foreign direct investment.

The purpose of the article is to apply a binary logistic model to analyze the major factors, which influence Chinese medicinal herb growers' willingness to use green pesticides by using survey data collected in Wenshan, Yunnan Province. The results indicate that, output per capita, average pesticide cost per mu, cognition of pesticide residues, expectations on Panax notoginseng prices, cognition of pesticides' effect of pests control, cognition of P. notoginseng prices of low pesticide residues have a significant influence on growers' willingness to use green pesticides. According to the analysis above, some proposals for enhancing Chinese medicinal herb growers' willingness to use green pesticides are put forward, such as, moving toward the intensive planting systems, fetching down the pieces of green pesticides, emphasizing and propagating the advantages of green pesticides, keeping the prices of Chinese medicinal herb running at steady rates.

Objective: To develop a LC-MS method for the determination of senkyunolide I (SI) in rat plasma, in order to observe whether there is significant change in the pharmacokinetics parameters of complex prescriptions of Huoluoxiaolingdan (HLXL) and single herbal extracts from Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. in rats, and assess the effect of other components in HLXL on the pharmacokinetics of SI., Method: Twelve male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups, and orally administered with extract from HLXL and L. chuanxiong (both equal to SI 4.53 mg x kg(-1)). Their blood was collected at different time points for LC-MS, in order to detect the plasma concentration of SI. The pharmacokinetic parameters of SI were calculated by DAS 2.0 software. SPSS 16.0 software was used for independent-sample T-test and Nonparametric T-test., Result: A linear relationship of SI ranged from 6.750 to 675.0 microg x L(-1), and with the lowest limit of detection being 6.750 microg L(-1). Both of the plasma concentration-time curves of SI were fitted with the two-compartment model for extract of HLXL and L. chuanxiong. The detected AUC and Cmax of SI showed significant difference, with no significant difference in other parameters., Conclusion: The LC-MS determination method established in this experiment was so exclusive, accurate and sensitive that it is suitable for pharmacokinetic studies on extracts of HLXL and SI from L. chuanxion. The experiment results show that other ingredients of HLXL have noticeable effect on the absorption of SI in rat plasma.

Objective: To look for the active fraction of ethanol extract of Genkwa Flos (EGF) induced hepatotoxicity and develop an UPLC fingerprint of the active fraction., Method: Target fraction of EGF induced hepatotoxicity was guided by the serum biochemical and histopathology methods. The UPLC method was applied to establish the chromatographic fingerprint. The separation was achieved on a BEH C18 column (2.1 mm x 50 mm, 1.7 microm) with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water containing 0.05% phosphate acid running gradient elution. The detection was carried out at 210 nm and the analysis was finished within 10 min., Result: The chloroform phase of EGF could be responsible for the hepatotoxicity of this herb. The common mode of the UPLC fingerprint was set up under the established condition. There were 17 common peaks in fourteen batches of herbs, eight of which were identified, and the similar degrees of the fourteen batches to the common mode were between 0.890-0.999., Conclusion: It is easy to locate the chloroform extraction of EGF with hepatotoxicity. And the UPLC fingerprint was developed for the above fraction, which could provide valuable references for safe and effective clinical use of EGF.

UPLC-MS-MS system was used for the identification of arbidol metabolites in the rat feces, urine and plasma samples. The system was so powerful a way with high ability of separation and analysis, based on both chromatography and mass properties. The isotope of Br was also a good indicator for metabolites finding. There were altogether 9 metabolites detected and identified, including 2 phase I biotransformation products and 7 phase II ones. It is concluded that arbidol mainly undergo metabolic reactions such as N-demethylation, S-oxidation, glucuronidation and sulfation in rats.

With the excellent merits of wide analytical range, high sensitivity, small sample size, fast analysis speed, good repeatability, simple operation, low mobile phase consumption, as well as its capability of simultaneous isolation and identification, etc, mass spectrometry techniques have become widely used in the area of environmental science, energy chemical industry, biological medicine, and so on. This article reviews the application of mass spectrometry technology in biological sample analysis in the latest three years with the focus on the new applications in pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence, toxicokinetics, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic, population pharmacokinetics, identification and fragmentation pathways of drugs and their metabolites and metabonomics to provide references for further study of biological sample analysis.

A LC-MS method was established for the determination of the protein binding rates of oleanolic acid in human plasma and serum albumin. The equilibrium dialysis combined with LC-MS to determine the total concentration in plasma and free drug concentration of oleanolic acid was carried out. The human plasma protein binding rates of oleanolic acid at three concentrations were 79.6%, 81.9% and 63.3%, respectively. The human serum albumin protein binding rates of oleanolic acid at three concentrations were 53.5%, 56.6% and 47.7%, respectively. The method is shown to be simple, accurate, sensitive and specific for the determination of biological samples. The protein binding rates in human plasma and serum albumin were of high strength.

To establish a method for simultaneous determination of dehydrotumulosic acid, polyporenic acid C, 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid, dehydropachymic acid and pachymic acid in Poria, a RP-HPLC method detected by UV wavelengths switch had been developed, including 210 nm (48-55 min) for pachymic acid and 241 nm (0-48 min) for dehydrotumulosic acid, polyporenic acid C, 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid, dehydropachymic acid, separately. The system consisting of a Kromasil C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) and a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.05% phosphate acid as the mobile phase was adopted; The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The linear response range was 30.5-610.0 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 6) for dehydrotumulosic acid, 12.66-253.2 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 5) for polyporenic acid C, 2.99-59.7 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 7) for 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid, 6.13-122.5 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 5) for dehydropachymic acid and 11.3-226.0 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.9995) for pachymic acid. The average recoveries of these compounds were 98.5% (RSD = 1.9%), 99.4% (RSD = 1.7%), 97.9% (RSD = 1.2%), 96.7% (RSD = 2.5%) and 97.9% (RSD = 2.3%), respectively. The method is simple, accurate and reproducible for quality control of Poria.

This paper is aimed to report the development of a method for the determination of the binding rate of plasma protein with salvianolic acid B. In vitro, equilibrium dialysis method was used to imitate the binding process between salvianolic acid B and plasma protein, in vivo, ultrafiltration method was used and the binding rate with HPLC was determined. Plasma samples were treated with methanol to precipitate the protein, and the buffer solution was directly determined after filtering. The calibration curve of the buffer solution was linear in the range of 0.5-20 microg mL(-1). The calibration curve of the plasma was linear in the range of 2-200 microg mL(-1). The extract recovery was 68.6%-81.9%. RSDs of intra- and inter-day precisions were all less than 8.5%. The binding rates of plasma protein with salvianolic acid B in vitro was 75.2% and in vivo was 92.1%. This paper shows the high binding power of salvianolic acid B to plasma protein with high sensitivity, good reproduction, simple management and fulfilling the requirement.

Objective: To establish an RP-HPLC method for measuring the contents of aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol and physion in Liuwei'anxiao Capsules (traditional Chinese medicine)., Methods: The analysis was carried out with a Diamonsil-C18 column (200 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) and a mobile phase of methanol-0.05% phosphoric acid solution with gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the column temperature was 35 degrees C. The detection wavelength was 254 nm., Results: The calibration curve was linear within the range of 1.622 - 16.22 microg/mL (r1 = 0.9998), 0.6960 - 6.960 microg/mL (r2 = 0.9998), 2.448 - 24.48 microg/mL (r3 = 0.9995), 2.752 - 27.52 microg/mL (r4 = 0.9997), 2.702 -27.02 microg/mL (r = 0.9997) for aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol and physion, respectively., Conclusion: This method is convenient, accurate and reproducible for the quality control of Liuwei'anxiao Capsules.

Objective: To establish precolumn derivation HPLC method to determine the monosaccharides in Heterosmilax japonica polysaccharide., Methods: Heterosmilax japonica sample was hydrolyzed with trifluoroacetic (TFA)and derivated by 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP). The monosaccharide composition of Heterosmilax japonica polysaccharide was carried out by reversed-phase technique on a Kromasil C18 column with a mobile phase composed of 100 mmol/L ammonium acetate buffer (pH5.5) and acetonitrile in the ratio of 77: 23. The detection was carried out at 245 nm., Results: The Heterosmilax japonica polysaccharide composed of mannose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose and xylose with amolar ratio of 66: 1:7590: 452: 528., Conclusion: The HPLC method with precolumn derivatization is appropriate for the analysis of monosaccharide composition of Heterosmilax japonica polysaccharide and the method is simple, quick and accurate.

The HPLC fingerprints of Niuhuangjiedu tablets (NHJDT) were established and assessed by systematic quantified fingerprint method. The chromatographic fingerprints (CFPs) were determined by reversed-phase HPLC, in which the CFPs containing 53 co-possessing peaks were marked by choosing baicalin peak as the referential peak. Fifteen batches of NHJDT were identified with hierarchical clustering analysis by using macro qualitative similarities and macro quantitative similarities as variables. According to the results of classification, the referential fingerprint (RFP) was synthesized from 10 batches of NHJDTs. Taking the RFP for the qualified model, the whole 15 batches of NHJDTs were evaluated by the systematic quantified fingerprint method. Among the 15 batches of NHJDT, 9 batches were completely qualified, the relative variance of leveling coefficient of 1 batch was obviously higher while the contents of other 5 batches were lower. The systematic quantified fingerprint method closely integrates the systematic fingerprints with the macro qualitative similarities and macro quantitative similarities to perform the entire qualification and quantitation analyses, which can briefly and effectively assess the quality of Chinese traditional medicine.

Using brain microdialysis and LC-MS/MS to detect acetylcholine in rat brain to investigate the effects of ligustrazine. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the determination of acetylcholine in rat brain dialysate sampling by microdialysis. The results indicated that ligustrazine administration by subcutaneous injection significantly increased Ach release in rat medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens in a dose-related manner. The drug' s effect on Ach release in rat brain could be directly detected by microdialysis combined with HPLC-MS/MS and this method is selective and sensitive.

By setting up the organic additive model of chemical fingerprints of TCM-compound, the quantified fingerprint method had been established to solve the qualitative and quantitative analyses problems for both the fingerprint attribution ratio and process recovery of medicinal effective components in TCM-compound prescription. The method firstly performs the qualitative analyses of the attribution ratios, and then the quantitative analyses, which can successfully disclose the results of attribution ratio and determine the process recovery of the medicinal effective components for TCM-compound prescription. Three optional methods were represented to assess the amount and distribution proportion of chemical compositions for single crude drug to compound prescription. In terms of components absorbed ultraviolet light, S5 (Radix Scutellariae) was assessed to be the most important crude drug containing much more effective components, and S7 (Radix Gentianae), S4 (Flos Lonicerae Japonica), S8 (Rhizome Anemarrhena) and S9 (Fructus Gardeniae) were second important crude drugs. The results showed lower process recovery of the medicinal effective components for eight batches of marketed preparations. Above all, the quantified fingerprint method can objectively and accurately reflect how high is the contribution of a single crude drug to the compound prescription, and quantitatively evaluate the process recovery of medicinal effectiveness components.

To establish an HPLC-MS method for simultaneous determination of matrine, oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine in rat plasma after oral administration of herbal preparation, namely Sanwu Huangqin decoction, and the pharmacokinetic porameters were calculated as well. Matrine, oxymatrine, oxysophocarpine, and internal standard pseudoephedrine were extracted from plasma with liquid-liquid extraction, then separated on a Kromasil C18 column by using acetonitrile-0.1% aqueous formic acid (10 : 90) as mobile phase. Electrospray ionization (ESI) source was applied and operated in positive ion mode. The linear calibration curve was obtained in the concentration range of 10 -5 000 ng x mL(-1) for matrine, 2 - 1 000 ng x mL(-1) for oxymatrine, and 2 - 1 000 ng x mL(-1) for oxysophocarpine. The extraction recovery was 89.1% - 93.5%, 83.9% - 91.3%, and 85.4% - 88.0% accordingly. The inter- and intra- day precision (RSD) was below 15.0% calculated from quality control (QC) samples. Matrine, oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine concentration time profile conformed to a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model. The method was shown to be effective, convenient, and suitable for simultaneous pharmacokinetic study of matrine, oxymatrine, and oxysophocarpine in rat.

A sensitive, rapid method for determining reduced tiopronin concentration in rat plasma has been developed by using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique in conjunction with the derivatizing agent N-(1-pyrenyl) maleimide (NPM). The analytes were separated on a Kromasil C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) using 0.2% glacial acetic acid aqueous solution including 0.015 mol x L(-1) KH2PO4 and acetonitrile (56:44) as a mobile phase at a flow-rate of 0.8 mL x min(-1), and fluorescence detection wavelength were set at lamda(e x) = 340 nm and lamda(e m) = 375 nm, the column temperature was 30 degrees C. The calibration curve was found to be linear over a range of 0.1 - 10.0 microg x mL(-1), the limit of quantitation was 0. 1 mg x L(-1). The coefficients of the variation for the within-run and between-run precisions ranged from 5.3% to 10.8% and 7.0% to 10.8%, respectively. The percentage of absolute recovery ranged from 73.7% to 79.7%. The method was used to determine the concentration of tiopronin in rat plasma after a single intragastric administration of 25 mg x kg(-1) tiopronin to 6 healthy male Wistar rats. The pharmacokinetic process was fitted to a two-compartment model. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of tiopronin in rat plasma.

A comprehensive HPLC-DAD-MS method was developed to study the chemical components of semi-bionic extract of Coptis-Evodia herb couple. The extract was isolated on a Hypersil BDS C18 column (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 microm) using acetonitrile-ammonium formic buffer as mobile phase by gradient elution. Detection was performed on DAD and MS equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source by full scan and product full scan on positive mode. The chromatogram of Coptis-Evodia showed seventeen main peaks, eight of which were from Evodia while the others were from Coptis. By comparison of the retention time, the on-line UV spectra and MS spectra, four peaks were identified as jatrorrhizine, hydroxevodiamine, palmatine and berberine, and three peaks were deduced as epiberberine, columbamine and coptisine. In addition, berberine and palmatine were quantitatively determined. No new component was created in the semi-bionic extract of the herb couple, yet the solubilities of berberine and palmatine decreased.

Objective: To observe the characteristic of the fMRI brain map in patients undergoing needling at Zusanli (ST36) by reinforcing method for exploring the essence of Meridian-Collaterals and the mechanisms of acupuncture in treating diseases., Methods: Twenty-six healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to two groups by double blinded method, 16 in the acupoint group and 10 in the non-acupoint group. Using GE Signa 1. 5 T superconducting MRI system, the fMRI was performed with Gradient echo-EPI sequence. Post-processing of fMRI data was performed using the Functool software (GE-ADW4.0) to generate positive correlation coefficient brain functional activating images and the data was analyzed statistically using SPSS 13.0 software., Results: Brain functional area was elicited in 13 out of the 15 patients in the acupoint group and 10 in the non-acupoint group. Among them, the temporal elicited area in the acupoint group showed specificity (Fisher's Exact test, P = 0.022) and only the difference in contralateral hemisphere activation rate was of statistical significance (McNemer test, P = 0.020)., Conclusion: Acupoints has its own specific brain activated areas. The therapeutic effect of acupoint might be mediated through brain to treat diseases and regulate functional disorder of organs. There exists special transmission channel of meridian.

Six compounds were isolated from Rhizoma Heterosmilacis Japonicae. They were identified as beta-sitosterol (I) dau-costerol (II),3,3',5,5'-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene (III), naringenin (IV), alpha-L-butylsorbopyranoside (V) and macrozamin (VI). The compounds III, IV, V and VI were isolated from this genus for the first time.

Objective: To develop a RP-HPLC method for the determination of the content of macrozamin in Rhizoma Heterosmilacis Japonicae., Method: A Century C18 AQ column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was used with the mobile phase consisted of water (4:96). The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was set at 215 nm, and the column temperature was 35 degrees C., Result: The calibration curve was linear (r = 0.999 8) in the range of 19.12 - 382.4 microg x mL(-1) for macrozamin, the average recovery of the method was 99.5%, with RSD 2.1% (n = 9)., Conclusion: This method can be used for the quality study of Rhizoma Heterosmilacis Japonicae.

To explore the differences between the qualitative similarity and the quantitative similarity of chromatographic fingerprints of traditional Chinese medicines, the quantitative similarity calculated by vector shadow C%, apparent quantitative similarity R%, quantitative similarity P%, etc. were firstly proposed to disclose the quantitative information characteristics of traditional Chinese medicines fingerprints. The HPLC fingerprints of both the standard Fructus gardeniae and the ten batches of Fructus gardeniae produced in different places were evaluated by the new parameters to obtain good results. The contrasted fingerprint contained 35 peaks while geniposide was selected as the reference peak. The HPLC fingerprint had good precision and reproducibility with the RSD of the relative retention time less than 1.5% and the RSD of the relative peak area within 5%. The qualitative similarity and quantitative similarity between each crude drug and the contrasted fingerprint were quantitatively calculated, the values of C%, P%, etc., were applied in the quality control practice, which had less errors. What is more, this method could be used for the overall quality control of Fructus gardeniae and especially suits for qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the chromatographic fingerprints both in chemical constituent distribution and in contents. The quantitative parameters such as C% and P% can be used to objectively, authentically and thoroughly display the content information characteristics. When they combined with the qualitative similarity, it will be the good method to evaluate the chromatographic fingerprints of traditional Chinese medicines.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Sambucus chinensis Lindl., Methods: The constituents were isolated and purified by various chromatographic methods and structurally identified by spectral analysis., Results: 5 compounds were obtained as beta-sitosterol (I), oleanolic acid (II), ursolic acid (III), kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-(6-O-acetylglucopyranosid)-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (IV), and kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosid-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (V)., Conclusion: The compound IV and compound V were obtained from these plants for the first time.

Aim: To exploit the characteristic digital criterion for the potential information characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine chromatographic fingerprints, the 37 parameters such as F and I were firstly proposed to disclose the potential information characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine fingerprints., Methods: The HPLC fingerprints of the Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) , Ginkgo leaf extract and diphyridamole injection (GLEDI), Ixeris sonchifolia Hance (ISH) and Ixeris sonchifolia Hance injection (ISHI) were compared each other., Results: As far as the peak signal intensity, the uniform of peak signal, resolution and the fingerprint information were concerned. The GBE fingerprint was better than the GLEDI's, and the ISH fingerprint was also better than the ISHI's, then GBE fingerprint was close to the ISHI' s., Conclusion: The 37 parameters such as F and I can be used to objectively, authentically and thoroughly display the potential information characteristics of the traditional Chinese medicine chromatographic fingerprints.

Objective: The influence of processing methods on chemical constituents in Radix Paeoniae Alba was observed., Method: A HPLC method was used for analyzing the changes of eight major constituents, namely gallic acid, paeoniflorin sulfonate, catechin, paeoniflorin sulfonate, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoic acid, pentagalloylglucose and benzoylpaeoniflorin, with the three processing procedures of decorticating, boiling and fumigating by burning of sulphur. Analysis was performed using a Zorbax SB-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with the mixture of acetonitrile (A) and 0.015% phosphoric acid solution as mobile phase in gradient mode. The detection wavelength was set at 230 nm and the column temperature was at 30 degrees C., Result: Except for gallic acid and pentagalloylglucose, the other constituents decreased during procedure of decorticating and boiling. Fumigating by burning of sulphur would produce a new compound, paeoniflorin sulfonate, which was a byproduct from the reaction of paeoniflorin with SO2., Conclusion: The significant changes were produced in chemical constituents of Radix Paeoniae Alba during three processing procedures. Therefore, the processing of Radix Paeoniae Alba should be strictly controlled and standardized.

Objective: An RP-HPLC procedure was established for the determination of danshensu and protocatechuic aldehyde in Guanxinning injection powder., Method: An RP-HPLC analytical procedure was developed using Hypersil ODS2 C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with methanol-0.5% glaceal acetic acid (4.5:95.5) as mobile phase, and a wavelength of 280 nm for UV detection., Result: The linear range was 3.004-45.06 microg x m(L-1) (r = 0.999 5, n = 6) for danshensu, and 0.300-4.509 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 3, n = 6) for protocatechuic aldehyde. The average recoveries were 99.1% and 97.9%, respectively., Conclusion: The method was stable, accurate, and reproducible, and can be used for the quality control of Guanxinning injection powder.

Objective: To establish a ICP-MS method for the determination of heavy metals, including As, Hg, Pb, Cd, in four traditional Chinese medicines., Method: The samples were digested by closed-versel microwave. The four heavy metals were directly analyzed by ICP-MS. Select internal standard element in for the method by which the analyse signal drife is corrected by the signal of another element (internal standard elements) added to both the standard solution and sample., Result: For all of the analyzed heary methals, the correlative coefficient of the calibration curves was over 0.999 2. The recovery rates of the procedure were 97.5%-108.0%, and its RSD was lower than 11.6%., Conclusion: This method was convenient, quick-acquired, accurate and highly sensitive. The method can be used for the quality control of trace elements in traditional Chinese medicines and for the contents determination of traditional Chinese medicines from different habitats and species.

Aim: To establish the RP-HPLC fingerprint analysis for the quality control of Radix Angelicae dahuricae., Methods: HPLC fingerprint analysis method of Radix Angelicae dahuricae was developed. Kromasil C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 microm) was used, with mixture of acetonitrile and water as mobile phase in a gradient mode. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The wavelength of measurement was 254 nm. Twenty-one batches of Radix Angelicae dahuricae were determined., Results: The 21 samples were classified as 4 clusters by cluster analysis and the 11 superior in producing area samples were confirmed to establish the mutual model. The samples' quality was assessed by Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM 2004., Conclusion: The method can be used to identify and evaluate the quality of Radix Angelicae dahuricae conveniently.

Objective: To establish the RP-HPLC fingerprint analysis for the quality control of Cortex Periplocae., Methods: HPLC fingerprint and analysis method of Cortex Periplocae were studied. Kromasil C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) was used, with mixture of acetonitrile and 0.025% phosphate solution as mobile phase in a gradient mode. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. The wavelength of measurement was 220 nm. 15 Batches of Cortex Periplocae were determined., Results: The 15 samples were classified as 4 clusters by cluster analysis and the 6 superior in producing area samples were confirmed to establish the mutual model. The samples' quality was assessed by "Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM 2004"., Conclusion: The method is simple and reliable. It can be used to evaluate and control the quality of Cortex Periplocae conveniently.

Identification study of four species of Mongolian herbal medicine by UV/fluorescence/IR spectroscopy was carried out. Ultrasonic extracts of Mongolian herbal medicine Rubus Sachalinesis Leveille and its substitute materials Sambucus williamsii Hance and Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks., and its false medicine Cinnamomum cassia Presl by methyl alcohol, petroleum ether and chloroform were obtained respectively, UV/fluorescence spectral scans for the above herbal medicines were taken and the spectra obtained were compared. Besides, the IR spectra obtained from the herbal medicines were compared. It was shown that the absorption peaks of UV spectra of the four species of Mongolian herbal medicine differ from each other when the methyl alcohol, petroleum ether and chloroform were used as extracting solvent, while there is a selectivity for the solvent when fluorescence spectrum was used to differentiate those medicines. Only when the methyl alcohol was used as extracting solvent, there are clear differences among the IR spectra of the four species of medicine. Therefore, three kinds of spectra are available in identifying the four species of herbal medicine. Among them, IR spectroscopy is noted for its more information about the fingerprints of herbal medicines, and being direct and simple, which is one of the methods worth recommending for identifying Mongolian herbal medicine.

Aim: To establish the method of HPLC-fingerprint analysis for the quality control of Dalbergia odorifera and identify its main constituents by HPLC-MS., Methods: The 37 hatches of samples were analyzed on a Phenomenex Luna C18 column with a gradient of acetonitrile and 0.3% aqueous acetic acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1) and detected at 275 nm. Furthermore, the typical samples were detected by HPLC-DAD-MS under negative ion mode., Results: 37 batches of D. odorifera samples were classified into three types based on the results of similarity analysis. According to the comparison of the tR, MS data and UV maximum absorbance (gamma(max)) values with the standards, 10, 7 and 2 phenolic components were identified in three types of D. odorifera extracts, separately., Conclusion: The method is repeatable and reliable, and it is capable of effectively controlling the quality of D. odorifera.

Aim: The index F and relative index Fr of chromatographic fingerprints were firstly proposed to indicate how bountiful was the information in traditional Chinese medicines chromatographic fingerprints, how better was the separation effect, how high was the peak signal and how equal were the peak areas., Methods: The index F and relative index Fr of chromatographic fingerprints were firstly applied to evaluate the chromatographic fingerprints results of traditional Chinese medicines determined by the reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method and high performance capillary electrophoresis., Results: The Shegan Kangbingdu injection and all its traditional Chinese medicines ingredients had been evaluated by F and Fr, so did for the HPLC fingerprints of Radix salviae miltiorrhizae reported in literature. As the same time, the F and Fr of the capillary electrophoresis fingerprints of Folium isatidis, Rhizoma belamcandae and compound liquorice tablets were successfully determined. As far as F was concerned, there was no evident difference between HPLC and capillary electrophoresis (CE), but the Fr values came from CE was usually a thousand times more than that from HPLC., Conclusion: The F and Fr can be applied to evaluate objectively, simply and thoroughly the chromatographic fingerprints.

Objective: To study the compatibility of composite herbal medicines of the Zishen pill., Method: 50% ethanol extract test solution of the different combinations of composite herbal medicines of the Zishen pill were prepared. Pharmacologic experiments, such as anti-inflammatory, carbon particle clearance of RES were carried out with the solutions, and the corresponding pharmacological data were obtained. Variance analysis, canonical correlation and stepwise regression analysis were applied to interrelate the amount of each drug and the pharmacological data., Result: The results confirmed that Huangbo and Zhimu were the basis, while Rougui was the corrigent, which was conformed to the theory of TCM., Conclusion: This study provides a significant try for studying the compatibility of composite herbal medicines.

Aim: To study the distributive character of safflor yellow A in mice., Methods: A RP-HPLC method for the determination of safflor yellow A in tissues was established and applied to determine safflor yellow A in biological samples., Results: After iv injection of Safflor yellow A in mice, the AUC of safflor yellow A was hightest in plasma, followed by kidney, liver, lung, heart, spleen. But it was not found in the brain., Conclusion: The distribution of safflor yellow A in the body is abroad and the speed of its process is swift.

Objective: To determine Ligustilide in volatile oil from Ligustrcum chuanxiong with RP-HPLC., Method: ODS2 column (4.6 mm x 200 mm, 5 microm) was used and nitrendipine was used as internal standard. The mobil phase consisted methanol, acetontrile and water (33:21:46). The ligustilide was at 275 nm., Result: The linear range was 2.92-29.2 mg x L(-1) for ligustilide. The average recovery of ligustilide was 95.1% and RSD was 2.3%., Conclusion: This method is simple and can be used to determine ligustilide with satisfactory accuracy and reproducibility.

The progress in research on the active ingredients of Sambucus Chinensis and pharmacological activities was reviewed. It is important to study the chemical constituents and phamacological activities of Sambucus chinensis.

Objective: To provide application and identification basis for Panax notoginseng by constructing the HPLC-FP of Panax Notoginsing., Method: The luna C18(2) column was used with a mobile phase of (A) acetonitrile-(B) 0.05% phosphoric acid gradient elution, 0-8 min (20% A, 80% B), 8-20 min (20% A-40% A, 80% B-60% B), 20-30 min(40% A-20% A, 60% B-80% B), 30-36 min(20% A-100% A, 80% B-0), 36-50 min(100% A), 50-65 min (100% A-20% A, 0-80% B). The flow rate was 1.0 ml.min-1. The wavelength of detecter was set at 203 nm. Caffeine was internal standard., Result: By Cluster Analysis, the twenty-one notoginseng samples were classified as four clusters: the superior in producing area, the ordinary in producing area, the ordinary and the inferior. By Similarty Calculation, the similarity of the twenty-one notoginseng samples were 0.9-1.0, and the similarity of the eight common falses are less than 0.9., Conclusion: The HPLC-FP of notoginseng has been established. The method can be used to identify and evaluate the quality of notoginseng.

Objective: To establish chemical pattern recognition method for the identification and evaluation of Atractylodes macrocephala., Method: The chemical constituents in methanol extract of 32 samples of A. macrocephala were determined by HPLC. The fingerprints were obtained and were handled by hierarchical clustering analysis and stepwise discriminant analysis., Result and Conclusion: According to the result of classification, all samples collected were devided into three Grades--the superior, the ordinary and the fake. Chemical pattern recognition method was established. It may be of practical value for the quality control of A. macrocephala.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the quality of Semen Armeniacae Amarum., Method: The amygdalin content in the samples of Semen Armeniacae Amarum from different markets was analysed by HPLC. Some physical and chemical tests were done to investigate their quality., Result: Some significant differences in amygdalin contents and some physical and chemical parameters were shown between the crude drugs and the processed ones. There are few changes in amygdalin contents with the storage in 17 years., Conclusion: The processing conditions are the main factors that affect the quality of Semen Armeniacae Amarum. Furthermore, a systematic evaluation of the quality of its samples from the different markets has been established by a radar diagram based on the following five parameters: amygdalin contents, the lipid content, ethanol-soluble extract, total ash and acid-insoluble ash.

Objective: To study the compatibility of composite herbal medicines of the Ling Gui Zhu Gan Decoction., Method: Ethanol extract test solutions of the different combinations were prepared according to the orthogonal layout L16(4(5)). Pharmacologic experiments, such as the time of surviving of mice in shortage of oxygen in regular air pressure, the antagonizing effect on arrhythmia induced by chloroform and diuresis were carried out with the solutions. Variance analysis, canonical correlation and stepwise regression analysis were applied to interrelate the amount of each drug and the pharmacologic data., Result: The results confirmed that Fuling and Guizhi are the basis, while Baizhuand Gancao are the adjuvans, which is conformed to the theory of TCM., Conclusion: This study provides a significant try for studying the compatibility of composite herbal medicines.

Aim: To prepare heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets and investigate the drug release in vitro and in vivo., Methods: The pH-dependent gradient-release pellet system was prepared by using HPMC, Eudragit L-30D-55 and Eudragit L100-Eudragit S100 (1:5) combinations as coater. The release of borneol and total ginsenoside from pH-dependent gradient-release pellets were determined according to the method of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2000) in the simulated gastrointestinal pH conditions. The gastrointestinal transit and disintegration of pellets was investigated by using gamma-scintigraphic trace in volunteers. The pharmacokinetics of borneol of heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets was studied in 6 healthy volunteers by GC methods., Results: The f2 value of release data of borneol and total ginsenoside of the heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets was 79.6 in the simulated gastrointestinal pH conditions. The gamma-scintigraphic trace evaluation demonstrated that the pellets coated with HPMC, Eudragit L-30D-55 or Eudragit L100-Eudragit S100 (1:5) combinations can disintegrate in stomach, duodenum and jejunum or ileum. The gastrointestinal transit time of pellets was about 5 hours in fasted state and about 6 hours in fed state. The concentration-time curves of borneol of heart-protecting musk pills fit in two-compartment model. The pharmacokinetics data showed that borneol had a short time of absorption and elimination. The mean residence time (MRT) of borneol of heart-protecting musk pills was 2.61 hours. The plasma concentration of borneol of heart-protecting musk sustained-release capsule which consisted of three kinds of pellets coated with HPMC, Eudragit L-30D-55 or Eudragit L100-Eudragit S100 (1:5) combinations was steadier than those of heart-protecting musk pills, its Cmax was lower than and Tmax was near to those of heart-protecting musk pills, its MRT was 4.0 hours, and its relative bioavailability was 96%., Conclusion: The lipidsoluble borneol and watersoluble total ginsenoside of heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets can release simultaneously while sustained-releasing in vitro. The heart-protecting musk pH-dependent gradient-release pellets had the characteristics of pH-dependent gradient-releasing and disintegration while transiting in gastrointestinal tract. A characteristic of gradient sustained-release was shown in the concentration-time curves of borneol of heart-protecting musk sustained-release capsule in volunteers.

Aim: To evaluate the similarity between two chromatographic fingerprints automatically with computer., Methods: Chromatogram can be treated as vector of hyperspace, and the similarity between them can be counted according to vectorial angle formula. This process was performed with software written in Visual Basic 6.0. The two main functions of this software are automatic peak tracking in two fingerprints under the same analytic condition and computing the similarity automatically., Results: The HPLC fingerprints of eleven kinds of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth (a traditional Chinese herb) from different sources were obtained and the similarities were calculated with this software. This method was shown to be a good way to evaluate the similarity between two fingerprints. A sample washed seven times with hot water can be clearly discriminated from other samples of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth with similar results., Conclusion: This method is a good way to evaluate the similarity between two fingerprints and is helpful in quality control of traditional Chinese medicine.