Planta Med 2011; 77 - P_99
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1273628

Identification and Quality Control of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma with a set of Comprehensive Analytical Methods

H Yan 1, F Wei 1, XY Xiao 1, RC Lin 1
  • 1Research and Inspection Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnomedicine, National Institute for Food and Drug Control, State Food and Drug Administration, 2 Tiantan Xili, 100050 Beijing, P. R. China

Rhei Radix et Rhizoma is a widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is seleccted in all published editions of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. According to Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Edition 2010)[1], Rhei Radix et Rhizoma is obtained from radix and rhizoma of three species of rheum plants (polygonaceae), Rheum palmatum L., Rheum tangguticum Maxim. ex Balf., and Rheum officinale Baill.. However, there are some false species which are illegally adulterated in Rhei Radix et Rhizoma known or unknown by some manufacturers. In this study, a set of comprehensive analytical methods, including macro/microscopic technology, TLC, HPLC, LC-MS etc., was developed for identification and quality control of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. The methods were practical and efficient.

References: [1] Chp. (2010), I: 22. [2] Zheng Jun-hua, Guo De-an. Modern Research on Rhubarb. Beijing, Peking University Medical Press (2007)