Analysis Of Chinese Herbal Medicines By Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (MP-AES)

Traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCMs) and their related products have been widely used in China for centuries and the Chinese government, as well as academic research scientists, are paying greater attention to the safety issues of TCMs in clinical use.

With recent developments in science and technology, there is a greater awareness of heavy metals such as Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, As, K, Na and Ca, which are present in some TCMs. Therefore the analysis of both toxic and benefi cial heavy metals is crucial in quality control of TCMs, and regulations have been implemented to restrict their levels. In order to enhance TCM safety and management, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition) was created in July 2010 and this is now the standard for Chinese medicinal crops, Chinese herbal pieces, Chinese patent drugs, and herbal extracts.

The aim is to control the content of heavy metals and toxic elements in traditional Chinese medicine, and limits were created for various products such as medical injections, the fruit of Chinese wolfberry, ginseng, dangshen, hawthorn, and so forth, as well as those suitable for children and medicines used for prolonged periods. The export of TCMs is under intense scrutiny due to strict regulations, and the high content of heavy metals in traditional Chinese medicine has resulted in an international response. By nature TCMs are very complex and contain many elements at different concentration levels — both high and low.