[Quantitative analysis of volatile oils and isoimperatorin in rhizoma et Radix notopterygii]

To establish scientific and efficient quality control standard of Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii through two quantitative parameters.

The contents of isoimperatorin and volatile oils in 29 commercial samples from 22 localities of Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii were determined by HPLC and the method in the pharmacopoeia respectively. The data were statistically analyzed.

Only 3 of 29 samples met the required standard in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2005 edition), 87% of samples newly produced in 2005 not met the standard. Statistics showed that the contents of volatile oils and isoimperatorin should reach 1.63% and 0.17% respectively when the samples meet requirement of criterion with more than 80% probability. The contents of volatile oil and isoimperatorin were not significantly different (P < 0.05) in the samples of 2005 and 2003, while the contents of isoimperatorin were significantly different between Notopterygium incisum and N. forbesii samples.

Since the criterion of volatile oils in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2005 version) for Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii is too high to satisfy for most Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii samples, it is suggested to reduce it to 1.6% (mL x g(-1)). The content of isoimperatorin is proposed to add to the quality standard of Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii as above 0.2% (mg x g(-1)).