Selective extraction of berberine and palmatine from Huangbai powder

Berberine and palmatine are two of the main bioactive components in Huangbai, a major Chinese medicinal herb. The current methods to extract these compounds usually involving the usage of inorganic acid and base, are not only complex and time-consuming, but have a low selectivity. In this paper, it was reported that hexane, ethyl acetate and dichloromethane were tested to extract berberine and palmatine from Huangbai powder. The results showed that dichloromethane extracted selectively and effectively berberine and palmatine from Huangbai powder among the examined solvents. In addition, dichloromethane can be recycled and reused, making it a potential candidate for large scale extraction of berberine and palmatine from Huangbai

Reflection on Breakthrough of the Implementation of National Essential Drugs System in China / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE: To look for the breakthrough for the implementation of national essential drugs system in China. METHODS: Based on relevant literatures, the disadvantage of establishment of National Essential Drug System and its main reason were considered. RESULTS: Five disadvantages of establishment of National Essential Drugs System were as follows: early starting, slow process and some links against essential drug system; clear direction of national drug policy without significant effectiveness; Essential Drugs List didn’t occupy high dominant position. National Essential Drugs System lacked of legal status and liability subject. CONCLUSION: National Essential Drug System should be escalated from policy of government to national policy, and legislation of National Essential Drug System should be strengthened. Government at all levels is liability subject to implement National Essential Drugs System and perform classification management system of essential drug.