Quality Control of Jinniu Ophthalmic Remedy / 中国药师

Objective:To develop the methods for the determination of calcined calamine and borneol in Jinniu ophthalmic remedy. Methods:The content of zinc oxide in calcined calamine was determined by an EDTA coordination titration method. A DB-WAX capillary column (30 m ×0.32 mm,0.5 μm) was used with an FID as the detector and ethylacetate as the solvent to determine the content of borneol. The column temperature was 150 ℃, the injection port temperature was 180 ℃, the detector temperature was 200 ℃, the split ratio was 5 :1,and the flow rate was 1 ml·min-1. Results:The recovery of zinc oxide was 101.5% with the RSD was 1.2%(n = 9). The linear range of borneol was 0.1-5.0 μg(r = 0.999 9). The recovery of borneol was 98.18% with the RSD was 0.8%(n = 9). The content of zinc oxide and borneol in the samples was 0.38-0.59 g·g-1and 0.13-0.21 g·g-1,respectively. Conclusion:The method is simple and accurate with high reproducibility and promising stability, which can be used for the quality control of Jinniu ophthalmic remedy.

Processing of calamine with modern analytical techniques: Processed with Huanglian Decoction () and Sanhuang Decoction () / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the pyrolysis characteristics of calcined and processed calamine, qualitatively and quantitatively compare the contents of related elements, morphology and functional groups of the pyrolysis products dried at different heating temperatures and explore the critical temperature and the optimal drying temperature for the process of calamine with Huanglian Decoction (HLD, ) and San Huang Decoction (SHD, ).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pyrolysis products were prepared by programmable and constantly heating the calcined and processed calamine to or at different heating temperatures. Thermogravimetry (TG) was used to test their pyrolysis characteristics. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopeenergy dispersive spectrometer were used to determine their morphology, functional groups and element contents. Page model was used to investigate the constant drying kinetics of processed calamine.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The adding of HLD or SHD to calcined calamine (CC) can slow its weight loss in drying pyrolysis process. The temperature ranges where HLD and SHD can affect its weight loss were 65-150 °C and 74-180 °C, respectively. The drying temperature was optimized as 90 °C. The drying kinetic for the processed calamine fits Page model shows good linearity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Conclusions: The critical temperature and the optimal drying temperature where HLD and SHD can affect the weight loss rate in the process of calamine were explored using the theories and methods of both biophysical chemistry and processing of Chinese materia medica. This work provides a good example for the study of the process of other Chinese medicines using modern analytical techniques.</p>

Determination of Ferric Oxide in Calamine Powder by FAAS / 中国药师

Objective:To determine the content of ferric oxide in calamine powder. Methods:Flame atomic absorption spectrom-etry ( FAAS) was used to determine the content of ferric oxide. The determination results were compared with those of the titration method. Results:There was a good linear relationship between the absorbance and the concentration of iron within the range of 0. 5-4μg·ml-1 , the relative standard deviation of the repeatability test was 1. 2%, the average recoveries were 100. 4% and 99. 4%, the limit of quantitation and detection was 0. 081 μg·ml-1 and 0. 024 μg·ml-1 , respectively. Conclusion:The method of FAAS is ac-curate and quick with good specificity and high sensitivity, which can be used for the determination of ferric oxide in calamine powder.

X-ray Diffraction Analysis to Clarify the Unusual Origin of an Intraocular Foreign Body.

Purpose: To clarify the origin of a metallic intraocular foreign body (IOFB) due to a firecracker injury and to show the utility of X-ray diffraction analysis in the identification process. Methods: Interventional case report using X-ray diffraction technique. Results: We report a mechanism of firecracker ocular injury not previously described in the published literature. It involved penetration into the eye by a ground particle of calamine (originated from the area of detonation) and not, as it could be suspected, by a firecracker fragment. Conclusion: X-ray diffraction analysis showed environmental debris in the area of detonation can be injected as foreign material into the eye.