Fundamental Studies on the Evaluation of Crude Drugs. X. Electron Microscopic Analysis of Crude Drugs. (2). On the Distribution of Alkaloids in Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Cortex

Abstract

In the previous paper, the quantitative analysis of berberine type alkaloids in Coptidis Rhizoma by means of X-ray microanalyser (XMA) was reported. In this paper, the serial distribution of alkaloids on the analytical lines of transverse sections of Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Cortex by XMA method are described. The analytical specimens were moved automatically during spot analysis, after treating with 0.2% ammonium reineckate in alcohol for 3 h. The results showed that alkaloids were detected much in the cortex and pith of Coptidis Rhizoma but not in the cork layer, phloem and xylem. On Phellodendri Cortex, inner cortex contained alkaloids more than outer part.