Determination of mercury and arsenic and safety analysis of valence mercury and arsenic in Niuhuang Qingxin Pills(Bureau)
WANG Ruo-yu
LIAN Yun-lan
DU Juan
ZHANG Xuan
SHI Xian-hai
PEI Xiang-ping
ZHANG Kai
Abstract：Objective:To establish methods for determining the contents of mercury and arsenic,and for analyzing valence mercury and arsenic in Niuhuang Qingxin Pills(Bureau),and to assess the potential health risks to humans.Methods:Mercury content was determined by titration,arsenic content by atomic fluorescence spectroscopy(AFS),and mercury/arsenic speciation by high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(HPLC-ICP-MS).Results:Among the 29 batches tested,the content of mercury ranged 12.11～23.22mg·g-1,with6 batches exceeding the specified limit.The content of arsenic ranged3.76～5.02 mg·g-1,all within the acceptable limit.Speciated mercury and arsenic were not detected in any sample.Conclusion:Titration,AFS and HPLC-ICP-MS are highly sensitive,rapid and accurate methods suitable for content determination of mercury and arsenic in Chinese patent medicine.The findings provide a scientific basis for the safety evaluation of other traditional medicines containing cinnabar or realgar.
Keywords：Niuhuang Qingxin Pill(Bureau)vermilionrealgarvalence mercuryvalence arsenictitration methodAFSHPLC-ICP-MS
Publication Date：2026-01-15
Online Publishing Date：2026-08-14(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：10( 100-109 )