Rhizoma Filicis Male Fern Rhizome

Two Examples of Special Procedures [207] a) Rhizoma Filicis (Male Fern Rhizome) 

The identification described below depends on chromatographic detection of active phloroglucinol derivatives, especially flavaspidic acid, obtained by concentration using the baryta method. The position of the active substances on the chromatogram is established by cochromatography of a standard solution of resorcinol and phloroglucinol both are commercially available substances which are not present in the drug extract, however. 

Solution for investigation 1.0 g of the finely powdered drug is allowed to stand 30 min with 10 ml saturated barium hydroxide solution, shaking frequently. After filtration, the filtrate is acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid and extracted with two 5 ml portions of peroxide-free ether. The combined ether extract is filtered through a smooth filter (7 cm diameter) to which a pinch of dry sodium sulphate has been added. The filtrate is concentrated on the water bath and taken up in 2.0 ml pure chloroform 10 gX of this solution are applied on a start band 1 cm long. 

Standard solution 50 mg of both resorcinol and phloroglucinol are dissolved in 10 ml methanol and 1 yX of this solution applied near to the start band of the solution imder investigation. 

The layer is prepared by mixing silica gel GF245 (Merck) with 0.3 M sodium acetate solution, spreading into layers of about 250 pm thickness. Development is carried out twice to a height of 10 cm in a saturated chamber atmosphere, using chloroform-methanol (85 + 15). The spots are visualised by spraying with 10 ml of a freshly prepared 0.5% aqueous solution of Fast Blue B salt, followed some minutes later with a few ml of aqueous sodium hydroxide to intensify the colours. 

---

MALE FERN (Buckler Fern) Filicis rhizoma The drug consists of the dried rhizomes with remaining petioles from Dryopteris filix mas (L.), Schott, family Polypodiaceae, a fern which grows in Europe, Northern Asia and America. 

---