Spectroscopic Analysis on the National-Level Combination Medicine Biqi Capsule

Abstract

Fourier transform (FT) infrared (IR) and Raman spectra of powders in the Biqi capsule, a commercially available national-level combination medicine, are measured to check the information on the most important active ingredient strychnine, which is in fact a highly toxic drug. Referring to the published FTIR absorption and FT Raman spectral data, from our ones we have found that the active ingredient - strychnine in our purchased Biqi capsule really exists and its net content is really not so high and therefore may not cause a serious harm to patients if an approved dosage is eaten. From this study one can see that the IR spectroscopic method is more suitable for this kind of drug identification than the Raman one using the Raman spectroscope in this experiment because strong fluorescent signals excited by lasers on the pharmaceutical excipients and other subordinate active ingredients generally cover up the fingerprint signals of the active ingredient in the drug.