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. 2022 Jan 18;27(3):593.
doi: 10.3390/molecules27030593.

Elucidation of Chemical Interactions between Crude Drugs Using Quantitative Thin-Layer Chromatography Analysis

Naohiro Oshima  1 , Maho Saito  1 , Mina Niino  1 , Yuki Hiraishi  1 , Kana Ueki  1 , Kazuki Okoshi  1 , Takashi Hakamatsuka  2 , Noriyasu Hada  1
Affiliations

Elucidation of Chemical Interactions between Crude Drugs Using Quantitative Thin-Layer Chromatography Analysis

Naohiro Oshima et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

To elucidate the interactions between crude drugs in Kampo medicines (traditional Japanese medicines), it is important to determine the content of the constituents in a cost-effective and simple manner. In this study, we quantified the constituents in crude drug extracts using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), an inexpensive and simple analytical method, to elucidate the chemical interactions between crude drugs. We focused on five crude drugs, for which quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods are stipulated in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia XVIII (JP XVIII) and compared the analytical data of HPLC and TLC, confirming that the TLC results corresponded with the HPLC data and satisfied the criteria of JP XVIII. (Z)-ligustilide, a major constituent in Japanese Angelica Root, for which a method of quantification has not been stipulated in JP XVIII, was also quantitatively analyzed using HPLC and TLC. Furthermore, Japanese Angelica Root was combined with 26 crude drugs to observe the variation in the (Z)-ligustilide content from each combination by TLC. The results revealed that combinations with Phellodendron Bark, Citrus Unshiu Peel, Scutellaria Root, Coptis Rhizome, Gardenia Fruit, and Peony Root increased the (Z)-ligustilide content. Quantifying the constituents in crude drug extracts using the inexpensive and simple TLC method can contribute to elucidating interactions between crude drugs in Kampo medicines, as proposed by the herbal-pair theory.

Keywords: chemical interaction; crude drugs; herbal-pair theory; thin-layer chromatography.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
TLC images obtained using modified methods according to the identification test in JP XVIII.
Figure 2
Figure 2
TLC images of (Z)-ligustilide in combinations of Japanese Angelica Root and crude drugs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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