Multielement patterns of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) from origins in China.

Abstract Thirty six elements (both macro- and micro-amounts) such as Mg, Al, Fe, Co etc. in Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) samples collected from different origins, Nanyang (Henan province, origin production area), Nanchong (Sichuan province, main production area), Harbin, Shanghai, Wuhan, Chongqing and Guangzhou, were determined by ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry) and ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry). The relationship between elemental distribution and production place was reported after analyzing those data by use of PCA (Principle Component Analysis) and CA (cluster analysis). The sample from Nanyang was quite different from others in characteristic of P, S, Al, Fe and Ba contents, and this may provide possibility for identifying the geological origin of Danshen samples. MPI (metal pollution index) could also help people to consume proper amount of Danshen products by describing metal pollution situation of all the samples. Highlights • Concentrations of 36 elements in Danshen samples are determined, 14 of which explain about 47.0% of the total variance. • A P-S-Al-Fe-Ba content curve is found to be usable for tracing Danshen origin. • MPI shows that the Danshen samples are safe for human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]