Sung, Go, Sun, Ko, Ko, Song, Kim, Sim, Lee, Jung, Park, Choi, Lee, Lim, and Jeon: A Study about Quality Control of Herb Medicine Extract Granules About DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang(DSGOST)
This study investigated quality among three herb medicine extract granules(DSGOST) which were made from different companies to check quality control of herb medicine extract granules.
Methods
we selected three DSGOST extract granules which were made from different companies. And we experimented extract granules by method from K.P(Korean Pharmacopoeia), K.H.P(Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia) of KFDA.
Results
In qualitative analysis of DSGOST, we indentified Akebiae Caulis (木通), Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛), Evodiae Fructus (吳茱萸) in three different DSGOST extract granules. In quantitative analysis of DSGOST, Medication A,B,C contained similar content of Paeoniflorin & Glycyrrhizic acid. However Medication B contains especially lowest value of Cinnamic acid & total Decursin.
Conclusions
Herb medicine extract granules have different contents of ingredients although those were made by same prescription. And these differences may influence medicinal effect to patients. So we need to make system of quality control with various research of quantitative & qualitative analysis about herb medicine extract granules.
The life expectancy of human being has been increased with the help of scientific developments and improved living standeards. However, the morbidity of chronic diseases is increasing due to an exposure to environmental toxins and aging of population. According to these reasons, potential demand of herb medicine which is known to be experientally effective & safe from side effects is growing up steadily1,2). Complex herb medicine includes various ingredients, and has distinct character depending on collecting period, and area. So it is necessary to estabilish standardized manufacture process and quality control process for the constant effect, This matter must to be discussed at national and world wide level3).
Some studies were carried out about quality standardization of distributing herb like project ‘Research on Standardization of Herbal Medicines’ by public institute4), But It was mostly about harmful contents of herb medicine like heavy metal than quantitative analysis about ingredients of herb medicine or was limited to single herb analysis5). Lately, preference of granuled herb medicine is incresing than boiled herb medicine on account of taking convenience, transportability, storage safety and so on2). However, some complex herb extract granules received revocation of permission because it got poor laboratory results about quality from KFDA inspection in 20146). In conclusion, Complex herb medicine may have possibility to various quality depending on manufacturing company. But there is no study of comparing quality about complex herb medicines like extract granules which is supplied in market.
DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang(DSGOST) was first reported ‘Sanghanron(傷寒論)’ at East-Han country period7). It is medicine which was added Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸), Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛) Evodiae Fructus (吳茱萸) Akebiae Caulis (木通) in Guizhi-tang (桂枝湯) and has heating & warming function to Body system, healing capacity to patient who had Cold Sensitivity of Hands and Feet8). However, There were a few advanced research about effectiveness of DSGOST oral administration in Korea. There was 1 clinical case study of Tal-juh(脫疽)9) and 3 experimental studies of through using DSGOST10–2).
Prior to clinical research of DSGOST, we found necessity of research about herb medicine quality control especially using DSGOST. To control quality of herb medicine in market, we selected three complex herb extract granule(DSGOST) which is composed of same prescription and made from different company. And we experimented herb medicine by method from K.P(Korean Pharmacopoeia), K.H.P(Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia) and announcement of KFDA.
Materials & Experiment equipment
1. Composition of DSGOST (DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang)
2. DSGOST extract granules
We prepared three different DSGOST extract granules which were made from different companies. We selected the most popular three companies, and named them Medication A, B, C.
We experimented three DSGOST extract granules through Thin-Layer-Chromatography(TLC) methods.
1) Akebiae Caulis (木通)
① Test liquid of Akebiae Caulis
Measure mass of DSGOST as Akebiae Caulis 1g and put ethanol 50ml. After attaching reflux condenser, reflux extract during 1 hour and cool off to make 5ml liquid through filtering and evaporative concentration. Cool off liquid and put ether 20ml. Then collect precipitation and dissolve in ethanol 1ml.
② Standard liquid of Akebiae Caulis
Measure Akebiae Caulis 1.0g and operate same methods as test liquid.
③ Identification
Prepare test liquid & standard liquid of Akebiae Caulis. Using chloroform·ethanol·water mixed liquid (13:7:2) as spread solvent. And spray liquid of sulfuric acid. Then heat 10 minutes on 105ºC (Using constant temperature bath SH-GLOB22).
2) Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛)
① Test liquid of Asari Herba Cum Radix
Measure mass of DSGOST as Asari Herba Cum Radix 1g and put ether 50ml. After After attaching reflux condenser, reflux extract during 30 minutes. Next, cool off and filter and evaporative dry liquid. Then dissolve in ethanol 2ml.
② Standard liquid of Asari Herba Cum Radix
Asari Herba Cum Radix 1.0g and operate same methods as test liquid.
③ Identification
Prepare test liquid & standard liquid of Asari Herba Cum Radix. Using N-hexane·acetyl acid·ethyl mixed liquid (2:1) as spread solvent. And spray liquid of sulfuric acid. Then heat 10 minutes on 10 5ºC(Using constant temperature bath SH-GLOB22) and expose to ultraviolet rays (365nm).
3) Evodiae Fructus (吳茱萸)
① Test liquid of Evodiae Fructus
Measure mass of DSGOST as Evodiae Fructus 1g and mix & shake 10% ammonia solution 8ml & chloroform 50ml. After waiting in a while, Take separated chloroform liquid layer after putting tragacanth powder 1.5g and shake violently. Wash residual subtance with chloroform 10ml and filter combined all chloroform layer. Decompressive concentrate remaining liquid and dissolve residual subtance in ethanol 2ml.
② Standard liquid of Evodiae Fructus
Measure Evodiae Fructus 1.0g and operate same methods as test liquid.
③ Identification
Prepare test liquid & standard liquid of Evodiae Fructus. Using water·1-butanol·acetyl acid(31) mixed liquid (5:4:1) & Cyclohexane · chloroform · dethylamine mixed liquid (10:10:1) as spread solvent. And expose to ultraviolet rays (365ml).
2. Test of quantitative analysis
We experimented three DSGOST extract granules through Liquid Chromatography methods.
1) Cinnamic acid in Cinnamoni Ramulus(桂枝)
① Test liquid of Cinnamoni Ramulus
Put DSGOST extract granule amount as Cinnamoni Ramulus 1g to soxhlet extraction and put ether 50ml and extract 2 times each for 2 hours. Combine all ether layer and wash with water and filter through sodium sulfuric anhydride (thenardite). Then evaporative dry liquid and put methanol 10ml to residual substance.
② Standard liquid of Cinnamoni Ramulus
Cinnamic acid standard material (PA-C-038, purity 99.9%) 0.177mg/ml (made in 2015.02.04.).
③ Quantification
On condition of quantitative Analysis(Table 2) with using water·acetonitrile·acetyl acid(100) mixed liquid(74:25:1) as mobile phase, we calculated amount of Cinnamoni Ramulus in DSGOST.
2) Paeoniflorin in Paeoniae Radix (芍藥)
① Test liquid of Paeoniae Radix
Put DSGOST extract granule amount as Cinnamoni Ramulus 1g and put methanol 30ml and ultrasonic extract for 1 hours. Then filter and make liquid to 50ml.
② Standard liquid of Paeoniae Radix
Paeoniflorin standard material (PA-P-036, purity 99.8%) 0.230mg/ml (made in 2015.06.08.).
③ Quantification
On condition of quantitative Analysis(Table 2) with using water·acetonitrile·acetyl acid(31) mixed liquid(86:14:1) as mobile phase, we calculated amount of Paeoniae Radix in DSGOST.
3) Glycyrrhizic acid in Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草)
① Test liquid of Glycyrrhizae Radix
Put DSGOST extract granule amount as Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) 0.67g & put water 50ml. Attach reflux condenser and reflux extract in bath during 3 hours. Put 3mol/l sulfuric acid 50ml & hydrolysis in bath during 1 hour. Cool off & put choloroform 50ml. And reflux extract in bath during 30 minutes. Then cool off & migrate to separatory hopper. Take chloroform layer & extract chloroform 30ml 3 times repeatedly. Combine all chloroform layer & Filer through sodium sulfuric anhydride (thenardite). evaporatively dry liquid & put methanol to residual substance for 50ml text liquid. And decompressively concentrate liquid. Finally put methanol and dissolve residual subatances to make 50ml test liquid.
② Standard liquid of Glycyrrhizae Radix
Glycyrrhizic standard material (PA-G-052, purity 99.7%) 0.639mg/ml (made in 2015.07.15.).
③ Quantification
On condition of quantitative Analysis(Table 2) with using methanol·water·acetyl acid(100) mixed liquid(78:19:3) as mobile phase, we calculated amount of Glycyrrhizae Radix in DSGOST.
4) Decursin in Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸)
① Test liquid of Angelicae Gigantis Radix
Put DSGOST extract granule amount as Angelicae Gigantis Radix 1g & attach reflux condenser, and put methanol 70ml. Extract from reflux condenser during 2 hours and cool off. Filter and decompressive concentrate liquid. Put methanol and dissolve residual subatances to make 50ml test liquid.
② Standard liquid of Angelicae Gigantis Radix
Decursin standard material (PA-D-023, purity 98.3%) 0.104mg/ml (made in 2015.05.08.).
③ Quantification
On condition of quantitative Analysis(Table 2) with using acetonitryl·water mixed liquid(13:12) as mobile phase, we calculated amount of Angelicae Gigantis Radix in DSGOST.
5) Calculate content of test material
① Content of Cinnamic acid (μg/g)
② Content of Paeoniflorin, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Decursin (mg/g)
Result
1. Test of indentification
We verify same Rf value and color spot in Akebiae Caulis (木通), Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛), Evodiae Fructus (吳茱萸) through comparison between standard liquid and test liquid(Table 3). So we identified each DSGOST extract granule had Akebiae Caulis (木通), Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛), Evodiae Fructus (吳茱萸) contents in three different DSGOST extract granules.
2. Test of quantitative analysis
After experiment of quantification, we calculate amounts of contents in DSGOST. (Table 4)
1) Medication A
① Cinnamoni Ramulus(桂枝) : 1.97μg/g
② Paeoniae Radix (芍藥) : 1.63mg/g
③ Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) : 1.97mg/g
④ Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸) : 0.75mg/g
2) Medication B
① Cinnamoni Ramulus(桂枝) : 0.31μg/g
② Paeoniae Radix (芍藥) : 1.91mg/g
③ Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) : 1.10mg/g
④ Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸) : 0.05mg/g
3) Medication C
① Cinnamoni Ramulus(桂枝) : 1.84μg/g
② Paeoniae Radix (芍藥) : 1.30mg/g
③ Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草) : 1.14mg/g
④ Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸) : 0.27mg/g
Through results, Cinnamoni Ramulus was contained similar level in Medication A, B but it was lowest level in Medication B. Paeoniae Radix was contained similar in Medication A, B, C but was slightly more higher level in Medication B. Glycyrrhizae Radix was contained similar in Medication B, C and was highest level in Medication A. Angelicae Gigantis Radix was contained highest level Medication A, medium level in Medication C, lowest level in Medication B.
In conclusion, Medication A was contained with good quality contents. On the other hand, Medication B was contained with poor quality contents comparatively.
Discussion
Herb medicine is made based on the principle of Korean medicine and composed of various single herb medicine. Demand for the herb medicine is increasing with the prolonged life expectancy and chronic degenerative diseases2,6). Herb medicine is known to be experientally effective & safe from side effects1). Until now, boiled herb medicines were used more frequently than other forms. But now, however, preference for extract granules is increasing steadily due to its intaking convenience, transportability, and safe storage.
Rules for registering not only single herb medicine product, but also complex herb medicine were made by many countries like ‘FDA Guidance for Industry : Botanical Drug Products 2004’ in America and ‘Traditional Herbal Medicine Products Directive 2004’ in Europe. In addition, More than 70% of Gemarn local doctors prescribe natural substance. In Japan and China, Use of Complex herb medicine is increasing as well6).
Complex herb medicine includes various ingredients, and has distinct character depending on collecting period, and area. So it is necessary to estabilish standardized manufacture process and quality control process for the constant effect3). Lately, preference for granuled-typed complex herb medicine is incresing. However, a few studies about quality standardization of distributing herb were carried out like project ‘Research on Standardization of Herbal Medicines’ by public institute4), but most of them were focused on harmful contents of herb medicine like heavy metal rather than on quantitative analysis of ingredients, or just limited to a single herb analysis5). Conclusionly, many herb medicine extract granules might vary in quality depending on which company they were manufactured. However, there is no study comparing qualities of herb medicine extract granules made in different companies.
DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang(DSGOST) was first reported in ‘Sanghanron(傷寒論)’7) and It was added Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸), Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛) Evodiae Fructus (吳茱萸) Akebiae Caulis (木通) in Guizhi-tang (桂枝湯). This medication has heating & warming function to Human body, healing capacity to patient who have Cold Sensitivity of Hands and Feet. However, there were a few advanced research about effectiveness of DSGOST oral administration in Korea. There was 1 clinical case study of Tal-juh(脫疽)9) and 3 experimental studies of using DSGOST10–2).
Prior to the clinical research of DSGOST, we felt the need to research the quality control of herb medicine especially using DSGOST. So we carried out quality test about three DSGOST extract granules which were distributed to hospital medicine with method by K.P(Korean Pharmacopoeia), K.H.P (Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia) and announcement of KFDA.
By above results, we indentified Akebiae Caulis (木通) through brown spot around Rf 0.5 value, Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛) through blue spot around Rf 0.3 value, Evodiae Fructus (吳茱萸) through blue spot around Rf 0.4 value Blue spot around Rf 0.3 value both in standard and test liquid. So we analogize three different DSGOST extract granules include Akebiae Caulis (木通), Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛), Evodiae Fructus (吳茱萸). But It was simple check like whether specific herb exists or not.
Next, We carried out quantitative analysis of DSGOST. First about Cinnamic acid in Cinnamoni Ramulus (桂枝), Medication A(1.97μg/g) & Medication C(1.84μg /g) had high value of Cinnamic acid, But Medication B(1.84μg /g) had lowest value and 1/3 amount of Medication A,C. About Paeoniflorin in Paeoniae Radix (芍藥), Medication B(1.91 mg/g) had highest value of Paeoniflorin. Medication A(1.63mg/g) and C(1.30mg/g) had similar value next to Medication B. Next about Glycyrrhizic acid in Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草), Medication A(1.97 mg/g) had highest value of Glycyrrhizic Acid. Medication B(1.10mg/g) and C(1.14mg/g) had similar value next to Medication A. Finally about total Decursin in Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸) Medication A(0.75 mg/g) had highest value of Total Decursin. Medication C(0.27mg/g) was next level and Medication B(0.05mg/g) was lowest level.
In Conclusion, Medication A,B,C contain similar amounts of Paeoniflorin & Glycyrrhizic acid. However Medication B contains lowest value of Cinnamic acid & total Decursin in particular. So Medication B is believed to have poorer effect compared to A or C. On the other hand, Because Medication A has high value level of contents, Medication A is believed to have the best effect.
As mentioned above, complex herb medicine extract graules made from different companies could have different amounts of ingredients although they were manufactured with the same prescription. And this difference may influence medicinal effect to patients. So we need to make system of quality control by persuing various research of quantitative & qualitative analysis about herb medicine Thereby we could use herb medicine effectively, correctly and safetly.
Conclusion
To investigate quality of herb medicine in market, we selected three complex herb extract granules (DSGOST) of the same prescription and made from three different companies.
In three different DSGOST, We indentified Akebiae Caulis (木通) through brown spot around Rf 0.5 value, Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛) through blue spot around Rf 0.3 value, Evodiae Fructus (吳茱萸) through blue spot around Rf 0.4 value Blue spot around Rf 0.3 value both in standard and test liquid. So we analogize that the three different DSGOST extract granules include Akebiae Caulis (木通), Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛), Evodiae Fructus (吳茱萸).
Through quantitative analysis of DSGOST, Medication A,B,C contained similar amounts of Paeoniflorin & Glycyrrhizic acid. However Medication B contains especially lowest value of Cinnamic acid & total Decursin. So Medication B is believed to have poor effect. On the other hand, Medication is believed to have the best effect since it had highest value level of contents.
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by Project of Development of leading technology in Korean Medicine (No. HI13C0530)
Fig. 1
Quantification of Cinnamic acid(桂枝) among three different DSGOST(DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang) exract granules
Fig. 2
Quantification of Paeoniflorin(芍藥) among three different DSGOST(DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang) exract granules
Fig. 3
Quantification of Glycyrrhizic Acid (甘草) among three different DSGOST(DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang) exract granules
Fig. 4
Quantification of Decursin (當歸) among three different DSGOST(DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang) exract granules
Table 1
Composition of DSGOST (DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang) in single unit dose
Indentification among three different DSGOST(DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang) exract granules
Medication A
Medication B
Medication C
Akebiae Caulis (木通)
Brown spot around Rf 0.5 value both in standard and test liquid
Asari Herba Cum Radix (細辛)
Blue spot around Rf 0.3 value both in standard and test liquid
Evodiae Fructus (吳茱萸)
① Blue spot around Rf 0.4 value both in standard and test liquid ② Blue spot around Rf 0.3 value both in standard and test liquid
* Medication A, B, C were DSGOST(DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang) extract granules which were made from three different companies.
Table 4
Quantitative Analysis about DST(DanggwiSayeuggaosuyusaenggangtang)
Medication A
Medication B
Medication C
Cinnamic acid (μg/g) in Cinnamoni Ramulus (桂枝)
1.97
0.31
1.84
Paeoniflorin (mg/g) in Paeoniae Radix (芍藥)
1.63
1.91
1.30
Glycyrrhizic acid (mg/g) in Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草)
1.97
1.10
1.14
Total Decursin (mg/g) in Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸)
0.75
0.05
0.27
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