Content Determination of Trace Elements in Dendorbii Caulis and Safety Evaluation of It

OBJECTIVE: To establish the method for the content determination of trace element in Dendrobii Caulis,and to analyze the safety of Dendrobium officinale, D. nobile, D. fimbriatum, D. chrysotoxum, D. thyrsiflorum, and D. aurantiacum in term of trace elements, and to explore the relationship of trace elements with anti-cataracta and hypoglycemic effect of Dendrobii Caulis. METHODS: The contents of 6 essential trace elements Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Se and 5 heavy metal elements Cu, As, Pb, Hg and Cd in Dendrobii Caulis samples was determined by ICP-MS. The safety of trace elements was evaluated and pharmacodynamic relationship was investigated. RESULTS: The contents of 6 essential trace elements were rich in sample, while 5 heavy metal trace elements were beyond the permitted values. CONCLUSION: The trace elements of Dendrobii Caulis 12 g·d-1 stated in Chinese Pharmacopeia is in line with daily trace element intake recommended by FDA and cannot cause essential trace element toxipathy, while the toxic heavy metal trace elements is far from optimistic. It is suggested to strengthen pollution-free plant of TCM. There is possible relationship between the content of Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Se and anti-cataracta and hypoglycemic effect.