Chemical markers for quality control of sulfur-fumigated Paeoniae Radix Alba dispensing granules / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective Previous studies found that characteristic sulfur-containing derivatives induced by sulfur-fumigation of medicinal herbs could be used together with sulfur dioxide (SO2) as chemical markers for the quality control of sulfur-fumigated herbs owing to the more specific and reproducibility of characteristic sulfur-containing derivatives over SO2 index. In this paper, the feasibility of these two indices used for the quality control of herbal dispensing granules was further investigated. Methods Using Paeoniae Radix Alba (PRA) as an example, the contents of SO2, paeoniflorin as well as paeoniflorin sulfonate, the characteristic sulfur-containing derivatives of sulfur-fumigated RPA in PRA processing pieces, decoctions, concentrates, and dried extracts were quantified by SO2 residue determination method documented in Chinese Pharmacopeia and HPLC technique, and the transfer ratios of these components during preparation procedures of PRA dispensing granules were evaluated. Results It was found that SO2, paeoniflorin and paeoniflorin sulfonate could all be detectable in the samples of decoctions, concentrates and dried extracts, indicating that these three components could be used as chemical markers to indicate the quality changes during preparation of PRA dispensing granules. However, the transfer ratios of these three components were different from each other, with the contents of SO2 and paeoniflorin decreased, whereas that of paeoniflorin sulfonate increased during preparation of PRA dispensing granules. In addition, in those commercial PRA dispensing granules samples SO2 detectable, paeoniflorin sulfonate also detectable. Conclusion Since SO2 residue is a safety index, while paeoniflorin and paeoniflorin sulfonate can reflect the inner quality and the impact extent of sulfur-fumigation on the quality of PRA dispensing granules respectively, the three components might be used together as chemical markers for the quality control, and consequently to ensure the safety and efficacy of PRA dispensing granules.