Sennosides Contents in Rhei Rhizoma and the Chinese Medicinal Extracts

Abstract

The quantitative analysis of sennosides in Rhei Rhizoma and Chinese medicinal preparations containing Rhei Rhizoma was investigated. Sennoside-A, -B and 8-glucosyl rhein of main components were separated and determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on LiChrosorb RP-18 column with a mobil phase of MeOH: pH 3.4 succinate-borate buffer (1: 2).
Compositions of twenty-two market drugs originated from five species Rhei Rhizoma of Kinmon Daio, Gao, Batei Daio, Kohoku Daio and Rhei Rhizoma pulv. were as follows (in mg/g): sennoside-A 2.19-28.12, sennoside-B 0.63-16.40, 8-glucosyl rhein 1.33-19.43. The large content variations probably result in the difference of purgative action.
Quality tests were made on fourteen kinds of Chinese medicinal preparations containing Rhei Rhizoma. The quality of Chinese medicinal preparation is changed by crude drugs and preparation methods such as extraction, concentration and others.