[Phenylpropanoids from Saussureae hieracioides].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and identify the phenylpropanoids from Saussurea hieracioides. METHODS: The compounds were isolated by chromatographic and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectra data. RESULTS: Seven compounds were isolated and identified as umbelliferone (1), scopoletin(2), caffeic acid (3), esculetin (4), skimmin (5), scopolin (6) and chlorogenic acid (7), respectively. CONCLUSION: Compounds 3, 4 and 7 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Stud on quality standard for Aconiti Tatsienensis Radix].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the quality standard for Aconiti Tatsiehensis Radix. METHODS: TLC was used to detect yunaconi- tine and talasamine in Aconiti Tatsiensis Radix. HPLC was adopted to determine the content of yunaconitine. Moisture,ash,acid insolu- ble ash and ethanol soluble extractive were determined according the procedures recorded in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition). The microscopic identification was also carried out. RESULTS: Aconiti Tatsienensis Radix had obvious microscopic char- acteristics,and its TLC identification had a good resolution with clear spots. An average content of moisture was 11. 48%, ash was 4. 83% ,acid insoluble was 1. 81%, ethanol soluble extractive was 20. 46% and yunaconitine was 0. 23%. CONCLUSION: The established standard is acceptable for quality evaluation of Aconiti Tatsienensis Radix.

[Population characteristics and ecological suitability of Saussureae hieracioides].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the population characteristics and the appropriate producing area of Saussureae hieracioides in China. METHODS: Chuanxibei plateau, one of the main producing areas of Saussureae hieracioides, was selected as the analytical basal place. Ecological methods were used to investigate the density and biomass of Saussureae hieracioides. Traditional Chinese Medicine Geographic Information System (TCMGIS-II) was used to analyze the appropriate producing area of Saussureae hieracioides. RESULTS: Saussureae hieracioides could form the dominant species in its distribution area. The proper region (with similarity of 90% - 100%) of Saussureae hieracioides accounted for 338 776.89 km2, including 5 provinces/municipalities and 226 counties/cities. The largest area among them was Tibet Autonomous Region with area of 148 175.55 km2, followed by Sichuan Province (110 216.46 km2), Qinghai Province (62 947.61 km2), Gansu Province (16 233.09 km2) and Yunnan Province (1 177.18 km2). CONCLUSION: TCMGIS is much valuable to the recognition of formation of producing area, the division of adaptive area, introduction and acclimatization of medicinal materials, it also provides a scientific reference for the introduction and cultivation of Saussureae hieracioides.

[Determination of skimmin, scopolin and umbelliferone in Tibetan medicine Saussurea hieracioides by HPLC].

This study is aimed to establish a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of skimmin, scopolin and umbelliferone in Saussurea hieracioides. Samples were analyzed on a Wondasil C18-WR column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with methanol (A) and water containing 0.1% phosphate (B) as mobile phases for gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength and column temperature were set at 325 nm and 35 degrees C, respectively, and the sample size was 10 microL. The results showed that skimmin, scopolin and umbelliferone were simultaneously achieved within 40 min under the above conditions. A good linearity was observed in the range of 0.18-5.6 microg (r = 1.000 0), 0.060-1.8 microg (r = 0.999 9), 0.032-0.97 microg (r = 0.999 8) for skimmin, scopolin and umbelliferone, respectively, with the average recoveries of 99.16% (RSD = 0.41%), 100.3% (RSD = 0.79%), 102.2% (RSD = 0.87%). The method is simple, accurate and reproducible and can be used for the quality control of S. hieracioides.