Identification and Differentiation of Radix and Radix Preaparata through the Quantitative Analysis of Multicomponents by the Single-Marker Method.

The quantitative analysis of multicomponents by the single-marker (QAMS) method was established and the relationship between value (the ratio of the sum of the contents of emodin-8-O--D-glucopyranoside and physcion-8-O--D-glucopyranoside to the sum of the contents of emodin and physcion) and the steaming time was found to identify and differentiate Radix and its processed product. Emodin was considered as the control substance, and the correction factors of physcion, emodin-8-O--D-glucopyranoside, and physcion-8-O--D-glucopyranoside were computed. In addition, the contents of the four components were determined. When the value is greater than or equal to 1.0, the sample was identified as Radix, and if the value was between 0.6 and 1.0, the sample of Radix Preaparata was processed incompletely. The value of the qualified Radix should be no more than 0.6. However, the influence of different sample injection volumes and the chromatographic columns and instruments used on the durability of the correction factors and RSD ≤3% hindered accurate identification; therefore, a QAMS method using an external standard value with methodological verification was developed. We redefined the " rules." The method using " rules" revised after optimization of the determination results was used, as it was accurate and led to convenient operation and low inspection costs, and moreover, the method could differentiate Radix Preaparata and Radix medicinal samples and precisely identify samples that were different from the completely processed product Radix Preaparata.