• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.407-412
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• 2006

Bioluminescence single-site immunometric assay for methamphetamine (MA) using the native aequorin, a photoprotein, as a signal generator was developed for the first time. MA is a potent sympathomimetic amine with stimulant effects on the central nervous system. MA abuse induces hallucinations and, thus, may cause a serious social problem. The single-site immunometric MA assay was optimized and its dose-response behavior was examined. The dose-response curve shows that the detection limit is 1.1 ${\times}$ $10^{-10}$ M and a dynamic range is four orders of magnitude with 15 $\mu$g/mL BSA-MA conjugate and 1.0 ${\times}$ $10^{-8}$ M anti-MA antibody-biotin conjugate. In order to evaluate this assay, the structurally similar compounds, amphetamine, ephedrine, norephedrine, benzphetamine and N-4-(aminobutyl)methamphetamine were examined for their crossreactivity. None of these five compounds showed any cross-reactivity. Additionally, an artificial urine solution spiked with MA was analyzed by the MA assay, and the result of the analysis demonstrated the usefulness of the present assay for the determination of MA in urine.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.97-108
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• 2020

Objectives: Ephedra sinica and Wolbigachul-tang which contains Ephedra sinica are used to treat obesity in Korean medicine. The aim of this study was to analyze the quantities of ephedrine alkaloids by high-performance liquid chromatography. Methods: The analysis was performed using a YMC-Triat C18 column with operating at 25℃, and UV detection at 210 nm. The mobile phase used a gradient flow with 0.1% H3PO4 in water and acetonitrile. Specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection, and limit of quantification were measured for validation anaylsis. This method was applied to analyze the quantities of ephedrine alkaloids in Ephedra sinica and Wolbigachul-tang. Results: The concentration per Ephedra sinica (gram) of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in Ephedra sinica decoction are 4.74±0.22 mg and 2.19±0.10 mg, respectively and in Wolbigachul-tang decoction are 6.39±0.34 mg and 2.97±0.21 mg, respectively. The retention time of ephedrine was 23.6 min and that of pseudoephedrine was 25.8 min, and norephedrine and methylephedrine were not detected. Conclusions: In conclusion, analyzed the concentration of ephedrine alkaloids in Ephedra sinica and Wolbigachul-tang by the developed validation method.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.168-180
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• 2022

Ephedra is a genus of the Ephedraceae family and is found in temperate regions, such as Central Asia and Europe. Among the various ephedra species, Ma Huang (Ephedra herb) is derived from the aerial parts of Ephedra sinica S tapf, Ephedra equisetina Bunge, and Ephedra intermedia Schrenk & C.A. Mey. Ma Huang contains various ephedra alkaloids, including (-)-ephedrine, (+)-pseudoephedrine, (-)-norephedrine, (+)-norpseudoephedrine, (-)-methylephedrine, and (+)-methylpseudoephedrine, which are found naturally as single enantiomers, although they can be prepared as racemates. Although the use of Ma Huang in foods is prohibited in Korea, products containing Ma Huang can be imported, and so it is necessary to develop a suitable analytical technique for the detection of Ma Huang in foods. Herein, we report the development of analytical methods for the detection of ephedra alkaloids in products containing Ma Huang. Following sample purification by solid phase extraction, quantitative analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Additionally, the enantiomers were successfully separated using HPLC-DAD. We successfully analyzed various food samples, where the ephedra alkaloids were qualitatively and quantitatively determined, and the enantiomers were separated. It is expected that these methods may contribute toward preventing the distribution of illegal products containing Ma Huang.