Application of diode array detection for the identification of poisoning by traditional medicines

A large percentage of acute poisonings in black South Africans is due to traditional medicines and plants. The combination of isocratic high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with on line UV spectrum detection via a diode array configuration has been applied to the detection and identification of traditional medicines (and plants) in poisoned patients. Four standard isocratic systems are used. Combination of the retention times in the HPLC chromatogram and a comparison of the full spectra between 190-600 nm of the peaks obtained from extracted patient samples (urine or blood) with that of traditional medicine extracts (collected and stored in a reference data file) makes reliable identification possible. Such information could improve the quality of data accumulation and therapeutic strategies.