Determination of Selected Elements in Aqueous Extractions of a Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula by ICP-MS and FAAS: Evaluation of Formula Rationality

Abstract

Eight elements (Mg, Fe, Al, Ti, Mn, Co, Cu, and Zn) in Bai-Hu-Tang, an aqueous extraction of a traditional Chinese medicine formula consists of four crude drugs, were analyzed quantitatively by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The method was validated and the rationality of this formula was confirmed for enhancing dissolution of Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn in the extraction while reducing that of Al and Co. By employing multivariate statistical techniques, data were classified and relationships among elements content in samples of different composition were revealed.

Keywords:

• Elements determination
• FAAS
• ICP-MS
• Traditional Chinese medicine

The study was sponsored by Qinglan Project of Jiangsu Province, China. The authors greatly thank Dr. Yongjian Ma (Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, China) during ICP-MS and FAAS measurements.

Notes

A = Gypsum Fibrosum (6.25 g).

B = the rhizomes of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. (Liliaceae, 2.25 g).

C = the roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (Leguminosae, 0.75 g).

D = the fruits of Oryza sativa L. (Gramineae, 1.125 g).

^a LOD for Ti = 0.4 ng mL⁻¹ (ICP-MS).

∗Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).

∗∗Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).