Angelica sinensis (root)

Introduction

Introduction from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelica_sinensis, retrieved 02/20/2012).

Angelica sinensis, commonly known as "dong quai" or "female ginseng" is a herb from the family Apiaceae, indigenous to China.

Its dried root is commonly known in Chinese as Radix Angelicae Sinensis, or Chinese angelica (simplified Chinese: 当归; traditional Chinese: 當歸; pinyin: dāngguī; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: tong-kui) and is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat gynecological ailments, fatigue, mild anemia and high blood pressure. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and sedative effects. The plant's phytochemicals consist of coumarins, phytosterols, polysaccharides, ferulate, and flavonoids. It has antioxidant activity.

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Microscopic Entries

Orange brown oddly shaped cork of Angelica sinensis viewed at 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydratecellular structures identified in Angelica sinensis are the brown oddly shaped cork and the scalariform vessel in longitudinal view when observed at 400x magnification with Acidified Chloral Hydrate. Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories

HPTLC Entries

Angelica (root) HPTLC ID - UV 254 nm Angelica (root) (Angelica archangelica) Lane Assignments Lanes, from left to right (Track, Volume, Sample): 4 µL Imperatorin, z-Ligustilide (incr. Rf) 4 µL Osthole 4 µL Angelica root 1* 4 µL Angelica root 2 4 µL Angelica root 3 4 µL Chinese Angelica root 4 µL Dahurian Angelica root 4 µL Doubleteeth pubescent Angelica root 1 4 µL Doubleteeth pubescent Angelica root 2 4 µL Lovage root 1* 4 µL Lovage root 2 4 µL Lovage root 3 4 µL Chinese lovage root (Ligusticum sinensis) 4 µL Chinese lovage root 1 (Ligusticum jeholense) 4 µL Chinese lovage root 2 (Ligusticum jeholense) 4 µL Chinese lovage root (Ligusticum chuanxiong)  Reference Sample(s) Reference: Dissolve 1 mg each of osthole and imperatorin in 10 mL of methanol. Optional: Dissolve 1 mg of Z-ligustilide in 10 mL of methanol.  Stationary Phase Stationary phase, i.e. Silica gel 60, F254  Mobile Phase Toluene, ethyl acetate, glacial acetic acid 90:10:1 (v/v/v)  Sample Preparation Method Sample: Mix 1.0 g of powdered sample with 4 mL of heptane and sonicate for 5 minutes, then centrifuge and filter the solutions and use the filtrates as test solutions.  Detection Method Saturated chamber; developing distance 70 mm from lower edge; relative humidity 33%  Other Notes Images presented in this entry are examples and are not intended to be used as basis for setting specifications for quality control purposes. System suitability test: Imperatorin: greenish fluorescent zone at Rf ~ 0.31 (UV 366 nm). Osthole: blue fluorescent zone at Rf ~ 0.36 (UV 366 nm). Identification: Compare result with reference images. Under UV 254 nm the chromatogram of the test solution shows quenching zones corresponding to references imperatorin and osthole (Rf ~ 0.31 and Rf ~ 0.36, orange and yellow arrow). Below these zones several quenching zones are detected. Under UV 366 nm the chromatogram of the test solution shows a dark blue fluorescent zone corresponding to the reference osthole. Right below a greenish fluorescent zone corresponding to imperatorin is detected. Below this zone several blue fluorescent zones are detected. Test for adulteration: No zone is seen at or directly below Rf ~ 0.57 (red arrow) (Chinese Angelica root, Dahurian Angelica root, Doubleteeth pubescent root, Lovage root, Chinese lovage root). Angelica (root) HPTLC ID - UV 254 nm Angelica (root) HPTLC ID - UV 366 nm Source: HPTLC Association