Objective: To compare the differences in glycyrrhizic acid contents of Gegenqinlian decoctions (a traditional Chinese herbal preparation) prepared according to varied prescription, so as to establish a referential standard for controlling the acid level in such preparations.
Methods: Reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was employed to determine the content of glycyrrhizic acid in different Gegenqinlian decoctions.
Results: Glycyrrhizic acid contents in the decoction of exclusive liquorice was 0.89%, and in Gegenqinlian decoctions composed of 2 or 3 ingredients, the acid contents varied from 0.24%, to 0.59%,.
Conclusion: The presence of the constituents in Gegenqinlian decoction such as radices puerarire, radices scutellariae and coptis may significantly reduce the release of glycyrrhizic acid content from within liquorice into the decoction.