Evaluation of Essential and Toxic Element Concentrations in Buckwheat by Experimental and Chemometric Approaches

The essential and toxic element concentrations in buckwheat were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer（ICP-OES）. The concentration data were subjected to common chemometrics analyses, including correlation analysis（CA）, principal component analysis（PCA） and hierarchical cluster analysis（HCA）, to gain better understanding of the differences among the tested samples. Our results indicated that the essential and toxic element concentrations were not different between Fagopyrum tataricum（L.） Gaertn and F. esculentum Moench. The element concentrations varied among buckwheat samples from different sources. Commercial tartary buckwheat tea contained several essential elements, thus, could be used as the source of essential elements. The detection of toxic heavy metals in commercial tartary buckwheat tea suggested that safety issue of such buckwheat products should be seriously concerned. Our results also revealed that the place of origin and the processing protocol of tartary buckwheat affected the element concentrations of the commercial form. The implications to the quality control and safety evaluation of buckwheat were extensively discussed.

Study on Antioxidant Activity of Different Extracts of Gynura segetum in vitro

[Objectives]To study the antioxidant activity of different solvent extracts of Gynura segetum in vitro,so as to provide experimental basis for further study and utilization of medicinal resources of G.segetum.[Methods]The antioxidant activity of different solvent extracts of G.segetum was determined by UV-vis spectrophotometer using DPPH free radical scavenging method and ABTS^+free radical scavenging method.[Results]The scavenging rates of DPPH and ABTS^+by acetone extract were high,reaching 98.9%and 98.3%,respectively;the scavenging rate of DPPH and ABTS^+by water extract was the lowest,and the scavenging rates were 76.7%and 77.5%,respectively.The order of ABTS^+radical scavenging rate of samples extracted with different extractants was as follows:S 5(acetone extract)>S 1(ethyl acetate extract)>S 6(ethanol extract)>S 4(n-butanol extract)>S 3(methanol extract)>S 2(distilled water extract);the order of DPPH radical scavenging rate of samples extracted with different extractants was as follows:S 5(acetone extract)>S 1(ethyl acetate extract)>S 4(n-butanol extract)>S 6(ethanol extract)>S 3(methanol extract)>S 2(distilled water extract).[Conclusions]The extracts of acetone,ethyl acetate,n-butanol,anhydrous ethanol,methanol and distilled water from the roots of G.segetum had obvious scavenging effects on DPPH and ABTS^+,all had antioxidant components,and acetone had the highest antioxidant effect as an extractant.

Safety Evaluation of Tongchui Baihua Capsule

[Objectives]The study aimed to evaluate the safety of Tongchui Baihua capsule.[Methods]Long-term toxicology experiment was adopted,the rats were randomly divided into control group and administration group according to the gender of male and female;the drug administration group was given different doses of Tongchui Baihua capsules,and the drug was administered by continuous gavage for 13 weeks;the general conditions,haematological indexes,blood biochemical indexes and visceral coefficients of the rats were detected at the 13th week and 4 weeks after the drug withdrawal respectively,and the toxic symptoms were observed.[Results]The rats were given Tongchui Baihua capsule in different doses by gavage for 13 weeks,and no obvious toxicity was observed in weight,haematological indexes,blood biochemical indexes and histopathology.[Conclusions]Under the condition of long-term toxicity experiment,Tongchui Baihua capsule was safe for rats.

Pharmacognosy Identification of Yi Nationality Crude Herb "Te-zhi-pa"

[Objcetives]To study on the original plant,medicinal materials and microscopic identification of Yi Nationality crude herb Te-zhipa of Ageratum conyzoides L.,and provide experimental data for identification and application. [Methods] The original plant identification,character identification,microscopic structure identification,powder identification were adopted in theresearch.[Results] The characteristics of Yi Nationality crude herb Te-zhi-pa were obvious in the original plant,crude herband microscopic characteristics. [Conclusions]The result was provided some reference for the formulation of quality standards and original plant identification for Yi Nationality crude herb " Te-zhi-pa",and provided the basis for the further research.