Qualitative Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Preparations( “Orengedoku-to” Extracts)

Abstract

Qualitative evaluation was made on Chinese medicine preparations: “Orengedoku-to” extracts. Quantities of the principal components were determined by high performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography-densitometry system. Composition of 17 commercial products (13 prescription drugs and 4 nonprescription drugs) was as follows (in mg/g): berberine 1.6-17.0, coptisine 0.3-5.0, palmatine 0.3-6.9, woogonin 0.03-9.2, geniposide 1.5-8.7.
Coptidis rhizoma, main component of Orengedoku-to, was examined for contents according to its origin. “Garene” originated in China gave the highest contents (in mg/ g): berberine 78.1, coptisine 30.5, palmatine 36.5. The qualitative test of Chinese medicine preparations, therefore, is very important at hospital pharmacy.