[On the evaluation of the preparation of Chinese medicinal prescriptions. VI. The changes of the alkaloid contents by processing of Evodia fruit].

A crude drug, Evodia fruit (goshuyu) was processed to detoxicate and reduce the bitter taste. Following the procedure described in Shokanron, Evodia fruit was washed in hot water, and then dried. The alkaloid contents of processed Evodia fruit was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The result shows that the content of hydroxyevodiamine decreased to 0.55 times, while the content of rutaecarpine and evodiamine hardly change in the final processed material. However, evocarpine content increased to 1.3 times comparing with the untreated Evodia fruit. The phenomena was ascribed to the flowing-out of the water-soluble portion, and also the weight of extract and the intense of bitterness in the processed fruit were reduced to about 1/3 times.