Scientificity of traditional commodity grade of Chinese medicinal materials--taking Lonicerae Japonicae Flos as example / 中国中药杂志

Taking Lonicerae Japonicae Flos as an example, the method of "expert consensus of different regions" was used to screen the representative samples and evaluate their commodity grades. The correlation analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) of "commodity grade-appearance characteristic-component content" were carried out to reveal the scientificity of traditional commodity grade of Chinese medicinal material. By referring to the existing literature and the grade investigation from the sample collection regions, 78 "initial grade" samples were screened out from 118 collected samples. Authoritative experts from four regions(n=4) including Linyi(Shangdong province), Bozhou(Anhui province), Anguo(Hebei province) and Beijing were organized to evaluate their commodity grades, separately. Based on the grade consistency rate(R_i≥70%), 69 "local grade" samples were screened out from the "initial grade" samples. Based on the average grade consistency rate ■ "authoritative grade" samples were screened out from the "local grade" samples, including15 first-grade samples, 9 second-grade samples, 11 third-grade samples and 17 fourth-grade samples. For these "authoritative grade" samples, the main appea-rance characteristics were quantified and the contents of 13 components were determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography(UPLC). Furthermore, the total contents of 6 phenolic acids, 4 flavonoids and 3 iridoids were calculated, respectively. The results of correlation analysis showed that 4 appearance characteristics indices were correlated with the commodity grades: color, rate of yellow bars(including blooming flowers), rate of black heads(including black bars), and rate of stems and leaves(including bud debris). Five component content indices were correlated with the commodity grades: chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid C, sweroside, loganin and the total contents of six phenolic acids. Furthermore, chlorogenic acid, loganin and the total contents of six phenolic acids showed significantly negative correlation with the main appearance characteristics, indicating that the appearance characteristics of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos can reflect its internal quality, and these 3 indices can be used as quality markers(Q-markers). The results of hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the samples of four grades were classified into four categories, and the samples with the same grades and the same categories accounted for 80.8% of the total samples, while the samples with the different grades were obviously classified into different categories. The results of PLS-DA analysis showed that the samples of different grades showed obvious intragroup aggregation and intergroup dispersion. The above results indicated that it was feasible to evaluate the traditional commodity grade of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos by the method of "expert consensus of different regions". For the evaluation of traditional commodity grade of Chinese medicinal material, the samples should be representative, expert conclusions should have enough consensuses, and grade determination should be authoritative. As the crystallization of clinical experience, traditional commodity grade can scientifically reflect the internal quality of Chinese medicinal material.

Quality evaluation of Poria based on specific chromatogram and quantitative analysis of multicomponents / 中国中药杂志

HPLC specific chromatograms of Poria were established, and the concentrations of 10 triterpenoids(16α-hydroxydehydrotrametenolic acid, poricoic acid B, dehydrotumulosic acid, poricoic acid A, polyporenic acid C, poricoic acid AM, 3-O-acetyl-16α-hydroxydehydrotrametenolic acid, dehydropachymic acid, pachymic acid, and dehydrotrametenolic acid) were simultaneously determined. Chromatographic analysis was conducted on a Welch Ultimate XB C_(18) column(4.6 mm × 250 mm,5 μm). Acetonitrile solution(contain 3% tetrahydrofuran)(A) and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution(B) were used as the mobile phase with gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min~(-1). The column temperature was 30 ℃ and the injection volume was 20 μL. The experimental data were analyzed by the SPSS 22.0 and GraphPad Prism 7.0. The established triterpenoids fingerprints were specific, and the 10 components were well separated and showed good linearity(r≥0.999 6) within the concentration ranges tested. The mean recoveries were between 98.53%-103.8%(RSD 1.7%-2.7%). The method was specific and repeatable, and could be used for identification and quality evaluation of Poria. The results showed that the contents of 10 triterpenoids were positively correlated with each other. The contents of 10 triterpenoids of samples collected from producing areas were higher than that collected from markets. The total contents of 10 triterpenoids of samples collected from Hubei and Yunnan province were slightly higher than that from Anhui province, but the contents of samples from Anhui province were varied in smaller ranges.

Analysis of major bioactive components and their metabolites in rats' plasma, urine and feces after oral administration of the aqueous extract of Euodiae Fructus by UHPLC-QTOF-MS / 药学学报

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS)method has been established to analyze the bioactive components of the aqueous extract of Euodiae Fructusand detect the metabolites in rats after oral administration of the aqueous extract. Compounds were detected by analyzing their retention times, high resolution mass data, mass spectra and comparing with the reference substances. As a result, 27 compounds were characterized from the aqueous extract of Euodiae Fructus, and 25 compounds were identified on the basis of the reference substances. 16 parent compounds and 35 metabolites were detected in rats' plasma, urine and feces samples, and all of the parent compounds were determined unambiguously through comparison with the reference substances. Four classes of compounds were identified from the aqueous extract of Euodiae Fructus, including phenolic acids, limonins, flavonoid glycosides and alkaloids. Phenolic acids, flavonoid glycosides and alkaloids were detected in rats' plasma, urine and feces, while limonins were detected in the urine and feces. The main metabolism pathways of these compounds in rats might include hydroxyl, hydrogenation, methylation, sulfating, glucuronidation, and so on. The results of this study provide references in the material basis of Euodiae Fructus in vivo.

Absorption characteristics of alkaloids in Fuzheng Xiaozheng Fang by rat everted intestinal sac models / 中国中药杂志

Everted intestinal sac models were used to investigate the intestinal absorption of the 4 alkaloids(berberine, palmatine, coptisine, and epiberberine) in Fuzheng Xiaozheng Fang(FZ) at different intestine segments. The absorption parameters of each component were calculated; SPSS 20.0 software was used to analyze the data and evaluate the absorption characteristics at different intestinal segments. The results showed that all the four active ingredients conformed to zero-order absorption rate. There was significant difference in absorption rate constant (Ka) between the four ingredients at low dose and medium and high dose groups(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in Ka between medium dose and high dose. The absorption mechanization of four ingredients presented two absorption manners： positive diffusion and passive absorption. The absorptive amount of 4 alkaloids in ileum was slightly greater than that of jejunum, but no significant differences were observed, which indicated that these four alkaloids had no specific absorption windows in intestinal segment.

Research on quality standards of Euonymus fortunei / 中国中药杂志

To establish quality standards of Euonymus fortunei, and supply scientific evidence for the quality control of Euonymus fortunei. Empirical and microscopic identification methods were adopted to observe morphological and histological characters. The contents of water, total ash, acid-insoluble ash and alcohol-soluble extractive were analysed according to the methods of Chinese Pharmaco- poeia (2010). Dulcitol and reference herbs were used to identify materia medica of Euonymus fortunei by TLC method. The total flavonol glycosides contents were analysed by HPLC method, using quercetin and kaempferol as reference substances. Quercetin and kaempferol were separated on a C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) with methanol-0.1% formic acid(51:49) as the mobile phase and detected at 366 nm. The flavonoid aglycones content was then multiplied by a conversion coefficient, and the result was the total flavonol glycosides content. The macroscopical identification, microscopic features and TLC methods were proper. The average contents of water, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, alcohol-soluble extractive and total flavonol glycosides were 8.76%, 6.48%, 0.31%, 17.48% and 0.211% , respectively. The quality standards established on the basis of the research results were suitable for the quality evaluation of Euonymus fortunei.

Study on quality standard of Sophora flavescens root extract / 中国中药杂志

As a part of the project for the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition), the quality standard of Sophora flavescens root extract was investigated and established. According to the methods described in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition), the water and ash inspections were carried out. The marker components trifolirhizin, sophoraflavanone G, oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine in the samples were identified by qualitative TLC. The determination of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine was conducted by HPLC and the total flavonoids were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, using sophoraflavanone G as reference substance. The results indicated the spots on the plate were clear with good resolution and the contents of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.87% - 11.1%, 0.970% - 4.33%, 1.30% - 2.59% and 0.260% - 1.14%, respectively. The total flavoids in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.88% - 7.93%. In the study, the validated methods were reproducible and the established quality standard was feasible, which could be used for the quality control of S. flavescens root extract and related preparations.

Study on antioxidant chemical constituents of Lonicera japonica leaves / 中国中药杂志

Guided by the antioxidant activity, the EtOAc-soluble and n-butanol-soluble fractions of the 50% methanol extract of Lonicera japonica leaves were isolated and purified by various chromatorgraphic methods, and the structures were identified by spectral analysis and comparison to the data reported in literature. As a result, nine compounds were obtained and identified as 5-O-caffeoylquinicacid (1), chlorogenicacid (2), 4-O-caffeoylquinicacid (3), luteolin-7-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)] -β-D-glucopyranoside (4), luteoloside (5), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (6), 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (7), 4, 5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (8) and luteolin (9). The antioxidant activity of the nine compounds were determined by using DPPH free radical scavenging method, and ascorbic acid was used as a positive control. Their antioxidant activities from high to low were 5 > 9 > 2 > 8 > 7 > 6 > 1 > 3 > 4. Among them, luteoloside (5) had the strongest antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 0.018 18 g x L(-1), and luteolin (IC50 0.023 6 g x L(-1)) and chlorogenicacid (IC50 0.035 17 g x L(-1)) ranks No. 2 and 3. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of luteoloside and luteolin were stronger than that of ascorbic acid (IC50 0.027 54 g x L(-1)). These results gave a basis for the further study and utilization of L. japonica leaves.

Study on pharmacological ingredients of wuzhuyu tang treating migraine by correlating absorption ingredients in everted intestinal sac and pharmacodynamics / 中国中药杂志

Wuzhuyu Tang is a classical formula for treating migraine, but its' pharmacological ingredients is unclear yet. Present study employed the everted intestinal sac model to collect the absorption samples of 10 kinds of Wuzhuyu decoction, and then analyzed the contents of 9 ingredients in Wuzhuyu Tang and absorption samples quantitatively or semi-quantitatively by HPLC-DAD method. Reserpine was used to establish the mice model of migraine, and then the contents and activities of 5-hydroxytryptamine, noradrenaline, dopamine, nitric oxide and nitricoxide synthase in brain tissues and serums were determined respectively after oral administration of Wuzhuyu Tang. Using the partial least squares regression method to correlate the total absorption quantity of 9 ingredients and pharmacodynamics. The result shows that limocitrin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside, ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1, rutaevine, limonin, evodiamine and rutaecarpine are the main ingredients influenced the effects in absorption samples in everted intestinal sacs, especially ginsenoside Rg1, rutaevine, evodiamine and rutaecarpine among them have obvious improving effects to most pharmacodynamics index, might be the pharmacological ingredients influenced the therapeutical effects of Wuzhuyu Tang treating migraine.

Feasibility study of QAMS for quantitative analysis of multiple structural types of ingredients in Zhizi Jinhua pill / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the technical feasibility of QAMS to determine different structural types of ingredients in Zhizi Jinhua pill, a Chinese patent medicine.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Emodin was chosen as the internal reference substance. The relative correction factors (RCF) of berberine, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, aloe-emodin, wogonin, rhein, chrysophanol and physcion to emodin were calculated with the peak areas determined at 254 nm. The ruggedness of these RCFs was validated. The contents of emodin in the samples of Zhizi Jinhua pill were determined by using the external standard method, and the contents of the other nine ingredients were calculated by their RCFs. The contents of these ten ingredients in all samples were also determined by the external standard method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>No significant differences were observed between the quantitative results of the two methods. The obtained RCFs were credible.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The established QAMS method can be used for quantitative determination of different structural types of multi-compounds in Zhizi Jinhua pill. It can provide reference for the quality control of Chinese patent medicine.</p>

Chemical quality of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. 'Hangju' (HJ) induced by sulfur fumigation processing / 中国中药杂志

Eight compounds from six Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. 'Hangju' were determined and multivariate statistics, including principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) were used to investigate the potential damaging effect of sulfr-fumigating process. Meanwhile, S, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb were also detected by using ICP-MS and ICP-OES. In this study, dramatic chemical changes were found that the contents of flavonoid aglycones remarkably increased while those of glycosides and hydroxycinnamoylquinic acids were significantly reduced. The PCA score plots showed six samples were clearly classified into the non-fumigated and sulfur-fumigated types. And according to VIP > 1, the most important chemical markers were luteolin, apigenin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside which indicated that the extracted three components might have a marked effect on the discrimination among different group samples. And then, it was found that the residue of sulfur of SHJ were significantly higher than NHJ (P < 0.05). The established approach was applied to rapidly discriminate sulfur-fumigated HJ with combining the quantitative chemical analysis and multivariate statistical analysis, and then the result will provide some evidence to evaluat the quality of HJ and control its processing.

Investigation on formation mechanism of secologanic acid sulfonates in sulfur-fumigated buds of Lonicera japonica / 中国中药杂志

To investigate formation mechanism of secologanic acid sulfonates in sulfur-fumigated buds of Lonicera japonica, secologanic acid was enriched and purified from the sun-dried buds of L. japonica by various column chromatography on macroporus resin HPD-100, silica gel and ODS. The stimulation experiments of sulfur-fumigation process were carried out using secologanic acid reacted with SO2 in the aqueous solution. The reaction mechanism could be involved in the esterification or addition reaction. The present investigation provides substantial evidences for interpreting formation pathway of secologanic acid sulfonates in sulfur-fumigated buds of L. japonica.

Simultaneous determination of seven constituents in Euodiae Fructus and two related species by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

This study is to develop a HPLC method for quality evaluation of Euodiae Fructus and related species by simultaneous determination limonin, indole alkaloids (14-fomyldihydroxyrutaecarpine, evodiamine, rutaecarpine), and quinolone alkaloids [1-methyl-2-undecyl-4 (1H)-quinolone, evocarpine, dihydroevocarpine] in the fruits of five Evodia species. Samples were analyzed on a YMC C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted with mobile phases of acetonitrile (A), tetrahydrofuran (B), and a buffer solution of 5 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate (pH 3.8) (C) in a linear gradient mode. The column temperature was 30 degrees C and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The PDA detector wavelengths were set at 220 and 250 nm. The seven compounds were well separated and showed good linearity (r = 0.999 9) within the concentration ranges tested. The mean recoveries were between 96.7%-102.4% (RSD 1.4%-3.1%). Through the validation, the method was proved to be accurate and repeatable. All the seven constituents were detected in the fruits of five species, but the contents of them varied widely in different samples. The total contents of seven constituents in 16 batches of Euodiae Fructus were 9.46-69.9 mg x g(-1), and the mean content was 28.2 mg x g(-1). The total content of seven constituents in E. compacta and E. fargesii was 25.8, 7.69 mg x g(-1), respectively.

Simultaneous determination of rosmarinic acid, oridonin and chrysoplenetin in Isodon rubescens by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

An HPLC method was developed for simultaneous quantitation of rosmarinic acid, oridonin and chrysoplenetin in the aerial parts of Isodon rubescens. Samples were analyzed on an Ultimate C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with methanol and water containing 0.1% formic acid as mobile phases in a linear gradient mode. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the temperature was set at 30 degrees C. The PDA detector wavelengths were set at 338 nm for rosmarinic and chrysoplenetin and at 242 nm for oridonin. The linear ranges were 0.222-2.78, 0.227-2.84 and 0.005-0.071 microg for rosmarinic acid, oridonin and chrysoplenetin, respectively. The average recoveries of the three constituents were 102.9% (RSD 1.9%), 99.6% (RSD 1.1%) and 102.5% (RSD 0.94%), respectively. This method was proved to be accurate and repeatable, and can be used for quality control of the aerial parts of I. rubescens.

Chemical constituents from fungus Armillaria mellea / 中国中药杂志

Ten compounds were isolated from cultures of the fungus Armillaria mellea by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis and compared their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature as 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methylbenzoic acid (1), orsellinic acid (2), melleolide (3), ergosterol (4), genistein (5), daidzein (6), daucosterol (7), genistin (8), uracil (9) and D-mannitol (10). Compounds 1-10 were isolated from cultures of A. mellea for the first time. Among them, 14, 6 and 10 had been obtained from mycelia or rhizomorphs of A. mellea. The structure of compound 3 was determined by detailed analysis of its 1D and 2D NMR data in the solvent of DMSO for the first time.

Isolation and mass spectrometric analysis of antioxidant peptides from enzymatic hydrolysates of roasted pills of Asini Corii Colla / 中国中药杂志

A fraction named GFC-1 with high antioxidant activities in vitro was isolated from the enzymatic hydrolysates of roasted pills of Asini Corii Colla, and the peptides in this fraction were identified. The enzymatic hydrolysates were isolated and purified with anion exchange chromatography and Sephadex G-25 filtration chromatography successively. GFC-1, a fraction isolated from the hydrolysates, exhibited the highest DPPH and ABTS scavenging capacity (DPPH 47. 95% at 2.0 g x L(-1) and ABTS 97.20% at 0.40 g x L(-1). Nine peptides from GFC-1 were identified by LC-ESI-MS/MS coupled with TurboSEQUEST search software and Swiss-Prot data base, and a high repetition core sequence GPAGPP*GPP* was also found.

Flavonoids from leaves of Epimedium pubescens / 中国中药杂志

Eleven compounds were isolated from the leaves of Epimedium pubescens by means of various chromatographic techniques such as silica gel, MCI, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified as anhydroicaritin (1), icariside II (2), 2'''-O-rhamonosyl-icariside II (3), desmethylanhydroicaritin (4), baohuosaide II (5), epimedokoreanin B (6), acuminatin (7), tricin(8), kaempferol (9), daidzein (10) and 4-hydroxy ethyl benzoate (11) on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data analysis. Among them, compound 11 was isolated from Epimedium species for the first time, and other compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

A new lignan from stems of Sargentodoxa cuneata / 中国中药杂志

Sargentodoxae Caulis was prepared from the stems of Sargentodoxa cuneata. Twenty compounds from the the stems of S. cuneata collected in Huangshan Mountain, Anhui province, were isolated and purified by column chromatography on macroporous resin (HPD100), silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectral data analyses as (7R,8S)-3,3 '-5-trimethoxy-4,9-dihydroxy-4',7-expoxy-5',8-lignan-7'-en-9'-oic acid 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(1), 1-O-(vanillic acid) -6-O-vanilloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside(2), 4-hydroxyphenylethyl-6-O-coumaroyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside(3), citrusin B(4), cinnamoside(5), (-) -isolariciresinol 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), (-) -isolariciresinol 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), 1-O-(vanillic acid) -6-(3", 5"-dimethoxy-galloyl) -beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), 4-hydroxyphenyl-ethyl-6-O-(E) -caffeoyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), (-)-syringaresinol 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (10), (-)-syringaresinol di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), aegineoside (12), calceolarioside B (13), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-acetophenone-4-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (14), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-acetophenone-4-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 6) -beta-D-glucopyranoside (15), (-) -epicatechin (16), salidroside (17), 3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl ethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (18), chlorogenic acid (19) and protocatechuic acid (20). Compound 1 was a new compound and compounds 2-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Non-alkaloid components from Sophora flavescens / 中国中药杂志

Five compounds were obtained from the stems and leaves of Sophora flavescens Ait. and ten compounds were obtained from the roots of S. flavescens by various chromatography methods including silica gel column chromatography and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic methods including 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and ESI-MS, as corchionoside C (1), syringing (2), 2'-deoxythymidin (3), coniferin (4), benzyl O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), piscidic acid (6), trifolirhizin (7), kurarinone (8), trifolirhizin-6'-monoacetate (9), sophoraflavanone G (10), isoxanthohumol (11), noranhydroicaritin (12), 4'-methoxyisoflavone-7-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (13), kushenol O (14) and 6"-beta-D-xylopyranosylgenistin (15). Compounds 1-6 were isolated from the Sophora genus for the first time.

Determination of eight ginsenosides in renshenshouwu capsules by HPLC-DAD / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an HPLC-DAD method for simultaneous determination of eight ginsenosides in Renshenshouwu capsules.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Ultimate C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was adopted for gradient elution, with acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1 mL x min(-1), the column temperature was set at 30 degrees C, and the detection wavelength was 203 nm.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A good linearity was observed in the range of 0.242-12.1, 0.222-11.1, 0.251-25.1, 0. 245-24.5, 0.232-23.2, 0.232-23.2, 0.264-26.4, 0.244-24.4 microg for ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, Rd and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3, respectively, with the average recoveries of 102.7%, 103.2%, 101.6%, 101.2%, 102.0%, 100.7%, 101.9%, 102.0%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method was so simple, accurate and effective that it could be used for quality control of the above eight components in Renshenshouwu capsules.</p>

Removal of cadmium from extracts of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma by gamma-mercaptopropyl-modified silica gel / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the optimum process of removing cadmium irons from extracts of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma with gamma-mercaptopropyl-modified silica gel (MPS) and assess its cadmium ion-removing property.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Static and dynamic adsorptions were adopted to detect the cadmium-removing rate. MPS' cadmium ion-removing property was assessed with such indicators as the cadmium-removing rate, the solid content and the HPLC fingerprint.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The process parameters of the static adsorption were as follows: 0.20 g x mL(-1) of concentration of extracts, 120 minutes of adsorption time and 15:1 between raw materials and MPS. The process parameters of the dynamic adsorption were as follows: 1:3.5 times between diameter and height, 0.20 g x mL(-1) of concentration of extracts, 0.9 mL x min(-1) of flow rate of the extracts and 50:1 between raw materials and MPS. Before and after the cadmium ion-removing process, the extracts showed no notable difference in solid content and HPLC fingerprint.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>gamma-mercaptopropyl-modified silica gel (MPS) can effectively remove cadmium ion from the extracts of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma with an excellent cadmium ion-removing property.</p>