用荧光分光光度法测定组织和血液中一氧化氮

利用NO^－₂对4-羟基香豆素的荧光增强效应,建立了生物样本中NO荧光分光度测定法,其检测浓度范围为2×10^-5～2×10^-8 mol/L,采用该方法检测了大鼠大脑皮层和海马组织、细菌脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)诱导的巨噬细胞培养上清和血清中NO含量.     

一种用分光光度计检测氧自由基的新方法

报告检测过硫酸铵／N, N,N′,N′-四甲基乙二胺体系所产生的氧自由基的新方法.O-·2与羟胺溶液反应生成NO-2,NO-2经对氨基苯磺酸和α-萘胺显色在波长530 nm处有专一吸收峰,其颜色深浅与产生的O-·2呈量效关系.氧自由基清除剂抗坏血酸对O-·2的清除作用也呈明显的量效关系.     

超氧阴离子诱导的叶绿素荧光猝灭

分别通过黄嘌呤(X)与黄嘌呤氧化酶(XO)反应和甲基紫金(MV)的作用,观察了O·-2诱导莴苣叶绿体的叶绿素荧光猝灭过程.结果表明,O-·2的产生明显使光化学猝灭(qP)和非光化学猝灭(qN)增加.叶绿体内SOD被DDC抑制后,X+XO诱导的叶绿素荧光猝灭过程中,qP下降,qN上升;MV诱导的叶绿素荧光猝灭过程中,qP上升幅度不大,qN增加不明显.当碳代谢被碘乙酰胺(JAA)抑制后, qP下降,qN上升.解偶联剂NH4Cl增加质子跨类囊体膜的通透性,导致qP增加和qN降低,加入MV后qP和qN增加不明显.分析认为,-·2的产生和及时被清除对保持光合电子传递和增加跨膜ΔpH有很重要的作用,有利于叶绿体吸收的光能得到转化和耗散,在一定程度上减轻过量光能引起的光抑制损伤.     

高等植物光系统Ⅱ中强光照射产生超氧阴离子自由基的ESR探索

利用自旋捕捉电子顺磁共振（ESR）的方法对从菠菜叶绿体中分离提纯的光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)颗粒产生O₂^-_·的机理进行了直接检测.通过对样品充氧、加入超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）抑制剂四氰乙烯（TCNE）以及原位光照检测ESR信号等手段，在PSⅡ中检测到O₂^-_·与DMPO加合物的特征ESR信号.而在没有SOD抑制剂的情况下，光照时PSⅡ中O₂^-_·与DMPO加合物浓度显著下降.进一步实验发现PSⅡ中O₂^-_·产率与氧分子浓度直接正相关.O₂^-_·产率还具有pH值依赖性，在pH值为6.0～6.5范围内，O₂^-_·产率最高，大于此范围时则呈显著下降趋势.而PSⅡ颗粒的Tris处理也将导致O₂^-_·产率的急剧减少.以上结果证实水裂解放氧十分活跃的PSⅡ也是高等植物叶绿体在光照下产生活性O₂^-_·的主要部位，通常大部分的O₂^-_·能被内源SOD清除，且O₂^-_·的生成与PSⅡ的电子传递活性密切相关.     

Cd2+胁迫对银芽柳PSⅡ叶绿素荧光光响应曲线的影响

以盆栽银芽柳为材料,利用MINI-IMAGING-PAM荧光成像测定系统,研究了Cd²⁺胁迫下叶片叶绿素荧光参数的变化及其光响应曲线。结果表明,初始荧光Fo与最大荧光Fm随着Cd²⁺浓度的增大而呈现先升后降的趋势,Fo与Fm在200 mg/LCd²⁺处理4周时达到最高值,400 mg/LCd²⁺处理则显著下降;PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)与PSⅡ潜在光化学效率(Fv/Fo)显著受 Cd²⁺胁迫抑制,但随Cd²⁺浓度的增加呈先降后升的变化趋势。Cd²⁺胁迫下各叶绿素荧光参数的光响应结果表明,PSⅡ实际光量子效率Y(Ⅱ)、荧光淬灭系数(qP)随光化光强度的增加呈下降趋势,而同光强下高浓度Cd²⁺ 使Y(Ⅱ)与(qP) 显著降低;PSⅡ调节性能量耗散的量子产额Y(NPQ)、非光化学淬灭系数(qN)与表观电子传递速率(ETR)则随着光强增加呈上升趋势,同光强下高浓度Cd²⁺处理显著提高Y(NPQ)、qN 与ETR。Cd²⁺胁迫下,PSⅡ非调节性能量耗散的量子产额Y(NO)稳定在较低水平,同光强下Y(NO)随Cd²⁺浓度增加略有提高。说明,银芽柳通过调节PSⅡ反应中心开放程度与活性,对Cd²⁺胁迫表现出较强的耐性,高浓度Cd²⁺胁迫导致PSⅡ反应中心关闭或不可逆失活,表现出光抑制。     

叶施NO对NaCl胁迫下红砂幼苗叶片和根系中氮代谢酶及营养物质的影响

以当年生红砂(Reaumuria soongorica)幼苗为材料,采用盆栽实验,考察叶面喷施不同浓度(0、0.01、0.10、0.25、0.50、1.00 mmol·L^-1)NO供体硝普钠 (SNP) 对NaCl(300 mmol·L^-1)胁迫下红砂根、叶中可溶性蛋白、游离氨基酸和硝态氮含量,以及谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)、谷氨酸合酶(GOGAT)、硝酸还原酶(NR)活性的影响,并采用主成分分析和隶属函数法筛选NO对NaCl胁迫缓解效应的氮代谢指标和最佳NO浓度,以探讨外源NO对NaCl 胁迫下红砂缓解效应的氮代谢响应机制。结果表明：(1)在300 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫处理下,红砂幼苗根、叶中可溶性蛋白、硝态氮含量以及GS、GOGAT、NR活性均比对照显著下降。(2)外源NO能显著提高盐胁迫下红砂叶、根中GS、GOGAT、NR活性和硝态氮含量,增加根中可溶性蛋白和游离氨基酸含量。(3)NR和GOGAT活性可用于评价NO对NaCl胁迫下红砂幼苗的缓解作用,外源NO(SNP)对红砂幼苗在NaCl胁迫下的缓解效果强弱表现为0.25 mmol·L^-1> 0.50 mmol·L^-1> 0.10 mmol·L^-1> 1.00 mmol·L^-1> 0.01 mmol·L^-1。研究发现,300 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫显著抑制了红砂幼苗氮代谢,外源NO(SNP)有助于提高盐胁迫下红砂NR活性,加快硝态氮转化为铵态氮,促进红砂叶片和根中GS/GOGAT对转化物的同化,从而增强红砂幼苗的耐盐性,并以0.25 mmol·L^-1SNP处理时缓解作用最佳;NR和GOGAT活性可作为NO缓解盐胁迫的评价指标。     

稀土La3+跨PC12细胞膜行为研究

使用AR-CM-M1C阳离子测定系统,发展Fura-2荧光测定技术,将其应用于测定细胞内游离稀土离子La³⁺,并以此研究了La³⁺跨PC12细胞（大鼠嗜铬细胞瘤细胞）膜的行为.结果表明：在模拟细胞内离子组分,pH=7.05的溶液中,测得La³⁺-Fura-2的表观解离常数为3.27×10^-11 mol·L^-1.对于PC12细胞,静息条件下La³⁺不能跨越细胞膜进入胞内.与钙离子通道相关的KCl和去甲肾上腺素均不能刺激稀土La³⁺过膜.用哇巴因（ouabain）使胞内Na⁺超载后,La³⁺可过膜进入细胞内,且过膜量与胞外La³⁺浓度和胞内Na⁺超载程度有一定的浓度依赖关系,提示La³⁺可以经由Na⁺／La³⁺交换机制过膜而进入细胞内.     

不同光强下交替氧化酶基因修饰的两种拟南芥叶片叶绿素荧光特性的变化

采用叶绿素荧光测定系统,研究在不同光强下交替氧化酶(alternative oxidase; AOX)基因超表达突变体(XX-2)和野生型(WT)拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)叶片的叶绿素荧光参数的变化。结果表明:两种拟南芥叶片的最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)没有显著差别; 而不同光强下两种拟南芥叶片的实际光量子效率(Y(II))、光化学猝灭系数(qp)均随光照强度的增加呈下降趋势; 同光强下XX-2叶片的上述参数均高于WT。非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)与调节型能量耗散的量子产额(Y(NPQ))均随着光照强度的增加呈上升趋势; 同光强下XX-2叶片的NPQ与Y(NPQ)均低于WT。非调节型能量耗散的量子产额(Y(NO))均随光照强度的增加呈下降趋势; 当光强超过165 μmol·m^-2·s^-1后,同光强下XX-2叶片的Y(NO)高于WT; 表观电子传递速率(ETR)随着光照强度的增加均表现出先上升后下降的趋势; 同光强下,XX-2叶片的ETR高于WT。以上结果表明,交替氧化酶超表达体在不同光照条件下具有更加优化的叶绿素荧光性能。     

大鼠脑组织中一氧化氮合酶测定

在含有一氧化氮合酶(NOS)底物左族精氨酸(L-Arg), 辅助因子还原性辅酶Ⅱ(NADPH)、四氢生物蝶呤(BH₄)、黄素单核苷酸(FMN), 黄素腺嘌呤二核苷酸(FAD)以及Ca²⁺、钙调蛋白等溶液中加入大鼠脑组织匀浆离心上清液, 组成酶反应体系. 37℃温育80min, 应用N-(1-萘基)-乙二胺、对氨基苯磺酸的重氮、偶氮反应测定酶反应体系中一定时间内NO代谢产物NO^-₂浓度变化, 建立一种简便的NOS活性测定方法. 反应体系最佳pH为7.4, K_m=0.1mmol/L, 体系内NO^-₂生成量与加入样品量之间有良好线性关系(r=0.998). 此方法简单、方便、重复性好, 批内CV为3.69%, 批间CV为5.16%. 10只健康大鼠脑组织中NOS活性为(39.61±7.64)nmol/(min·g).     

模拟氮沉降对石栎和苦槠幼苗土壤呼吸的影响

用LI-8100开路式土壤碳通量测量系统测定模拟氮沉降4种不同处理水平(0、60、120\,240 kg · hm^-2 · a^-1)下石栎(Lithocarpus glabra)和苦槠(Castanopsis sclerophylla)幼苗的土壤呼吸速率及土壤温度、含水量对其土壤呼吸的影响。结果表明,氮沉降对土壤呼吸的影响根据施氮水平和幼苗的种类不同而异。低氮(60 kg · hm^-2 · a^-1)处理下石栎和苦槠的土壤呼吸速率平均值分别为(4.014±0.812)μmol · m^-2 · s^-1和(5.170±0.689)μmol · m^-2 · s^-1,比对照组(0 kg · hm^-2 · a^-1)土壤呼吸速率平均值(3.802±0.948)μmol · m^-2 · s^-1和(3.557±0.906)μmol · m^-2 · s^-1分别高5%和45%;两树种在中、高氮处理下均出现对土壤呼吸明显的抑制。其中石栎中、高氮实验组的土壤呼吸速率分别为(2.653±0.681)μmol · m^-2 · s^-1、(2.592±0.736)μmol · m^-2 · s^-1, 比对照组低27%和29%。苦槠中、高氮实验组的土壤呼吸速率为(3.563±0.402)μmol · m^-2 · s^-1、(3.466±0.994)μmol · m^-2 · s^-1, 比对照组低7%和8%;石栎在高氮(240 kg · hm^-2 · a^-1)处理水平下,其土壤呼吸速率同10cm土壤温度之间呈现显著的指数关系(R²=0.811,P=0.001),而在低、中氮实验均未发现有明显指数关系。苦槠各处理水平下其土壤呼吸与土壤温度之间均未发现有明显的指数关系;在土壤呼吸与5cm土壤含水量的相关性方面,仅有苦槠高氮实验组表现出明显的二次方程关系(R²=0.722),而其低、中氮实验组及石栎各实验组均未有明显的相关性;与单因素(温度、含水量)拟合它们与土壤呼吸速率的方程相比,多元回归分析得到的土壤呼吸速率同土壤温度和含水量之间的拟合方程在P=0.05水平上能更好地解释土壤呼吸的变化情况。石栎和苦槠在氮沉降处理下的土壤呼吸温度系数Q₁₀值分别为2.29、1.95、1.59和1.46、1.41、1.76,同对照组2.64和1.78相比,均有明显降低,且两者Q₁₀值的变化分别呈递减和先减小后增大的趋势,表明氮沉降是影响石栎和苦槠土壤CO₂通量的一个重要因素。     

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. II. An experimental realization

This paper describes the first experimental application of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, a new method for determining chemical kinetic constants and diffusion coefficients. These quantities are measured by observing the time behaviour of the tiny concentration fluctuations which occur spontaneously in the reaction system even when it is in equilibrium. The equilibrium of the system is not disturbed during the experiment. The diffusion coefficients and chemical rate constants which determine the average time behaviour of these spontaneous fluctuations are the same as those sought by more conventional methods including temperature-jump or other perturbation techniques. The experiment consists essentially in measuring the variation with time of the number of molecules of specified reactants in a defined open volume of solution. The concentration of a reactant is measured by its fluorescence; the sample volume is defined by a focused laser beam which excites the fluorescence. The fluorescent emission fluctuates in proportion with the changes in the number of fluorescent molecules as they diffuse into and out of the sample volume and as they are created or eliminated by the chemical reactions. The number of these reactant molecules must be small to permit detection of the concentration fluctuations. Hence the sample volume is small (10^?8 ml) and the concentration of the solutes is low (～ 10^?9 M). We have applied this technique to the study of two prototype systems: the simple example of pure diffusion of a single fluorescent species, rhodamine 6G, and the more interesting but more challenging example of the reaction of macromolecular DNA with the drug ethidium bromide to form a fluorescent complex. The increase of the fluorescence of the ethidium bromide upon formation of the complex permits the observation of the decay of concentration fluctuations via the chemical reaction and consequently the determination of chemical rate constants.     

A simple and sensitive turn‐on fluorescence probe for detection of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in aqueous samples

The interaction of acid (PTCA) with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) has been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence of PTCA can be greatly enhanced by the addition of CTAB, due to the formation a fluorescent supramolecular compound. Under optimum conditions, the enhancement intensity of fluorescence was proportional to the concentration of CTAB over a range of 0–4.5 µmol L^?1. Its detection limit was 0.057 µmol L^?1, which was lower than reported previously. Compared with other methods that have been reported to determine CTAB, this method has high sensitivity, stability and wide linear range and it can be used satisfactorily for the determination of CTAB in aqueous samples. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of bilirubin in serum samples

A new spectrofluorimetric method was developed for determination of trace amount of bilirubin. Using oxytetracycline–Eu³⁺ as a fluorescent probe, in the buffer solution of pH = 7.3, bilirubin can reduce remarkably the fluorescence intensity of the oxytetracycline–Eu³⁺ complex at λ = 612 nm and the reduced fluorescence intensity was in proportion to the concentration of bilirubin. Optimum conditions for the determination of bilirubin were also investigated. The linear range and limit of detection for the determination of bilirubin were 5.0 × 10^?7, 3.0 × 10^?5 and 7.7 × 10^?8 mol L^?1, respectively. This method is simple, practical and relatively free of interference from coexisting substances and can be successfully applied to assess bilirubin in serum samples and compared with the modified Jendrassik–Grof method in clinical analysis. The quenching mechanism of the fluorescence intensity in the system is also discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multifunctional organic–inorganic composite luminescent nanospheres

A simple general strategy was successfully developed for the preparation of magnetic–luminescent multifunctional nanocomposites by incorporating fluorescent (pyrene) and magnetic (Fe₃O₄) components simultaneously into a poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylic acid) [poly(St‐co‐MAA)] copolymer matrix. The nanospheres so prepared were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The prepared magnetic–fluorescent inorganic–organic nanocomposites have excellent magnetic and photoluminescent properties. They can be used in magnetic separation of trace amounts of sample, fluorescence detection and imaging applications, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence imaging. The fluorescence quenching of the nanospheres in the presence of different amounts of Cu²⁺ ions was also investigated. Under optimal experimental conditions, the relative fluorescence intensity of the composite nanosphere colloidal solution is proportional to the concentration of Cu²⁺ ions, which indicates that these multifunctional nanocomposites can be used for the magnetic separation and fluorescence detection of Cu²⁺ ions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Peculiar Facets of Nitric Oxide as a Cellular Messenger: From Disease-Associated Signaling to the Regulation of Brain Bioenergetics and Neurovascular Coupling

In this review, we address the regulatory and toxic role of ^·NO along several pathways, from the gut to the brain. Initially, we address the role on ^·NO in the regulation of mitochondrial respiration with emphasis on the possible contribution to Parkinson’s disease via mechanisms that involve its interaction with a major dopamine metabolite, DOPAC. In parallel with initial discoveries of the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by ^·NO, it became clear the potential for toxic ^·NO-mediated mechanisms involving the production of more reactive species and the post-translational modification of mitochondrial proteins. Accordingly, we have proposed a novel mechanism potentially leading to dopaminergic cell death, providing evidence that NO synergistically interact with DOPAC in promoting cell death via mechanisms that involve GSH depletion. The modulatory role of NO will be then briefly discussed as a master regulator on brain energy metabolism. The energy metabolism in the brain is central to the understanding of brain function and disease. The core role of ^·NO in the regulation of brain metabolism and vascular responses is further substantiated by discussing its role as a mediator of neurovascular coupling, the increase in local microvessels blood flow in response to spatially restricted increase of neuronal activity. The many facets of NO as intracellular and intercellular messenger, conveying information associated with its spatial and temporal concentration dynamics, involve not only the discussion of its reactions and potential targets on a defined biological environment but also the regulation of its synthesis by the family of nitric oxide synthases. More recently, a novel pathway, out of control of NOS, has been the subject of a great deal of controversy, the nitrate:nitrite:NO pathway, adding new perspectives to ^·NO biology. Thus, finally, this novel pathway will be addressed in connection with nitrate consumption in the diet and the beneficial effects of protein nitration by reactive nitrogen species.

     

Nitroxidative chemistry interferes with fluorescent probe chemistry: Implications for nitric oxide detection using 2,3-diaminonaphthalene

Simultaneous production of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide generates peroxynitrite and causes nitroxidative stress. The fluorometric method for NO detection is based on the formation of a fluorescent product from the reaction of a nonfluorescent probe molecule with NO-derived nitrosating species. Here, we present an example of how nitroxidative chemistry could interact with fluorescent probe chemistry. 2,3-Naphthotriazole (NAT) is the NO-derived fluorescent product of 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN), a commonly used NO-detecting molecule. We show that NO/superoxide cogeneration, and particularly peroxynitrite, mediates the chemical decomposition of NAT. Moreover, the extent of NAT decomposition depends on the relative fluxes of NO and superoxide; the maximum effect being reached at almost equivalent generation rates for both radicals. The rate constant for the reaction of NAT with peroxynitrite was determined to be 2.2 × 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. Further, various peroxynitrite scavengers were shown to effectively inhibit NO/superoxide- and peroxynitrite-mediated decomposition of NAT. Taken together, the present study suggests that the interference of a fluorometric NO assay can be originated from the interaction between the final fluorescent product and the formed reactive nitrogen and oxygen species.     

Bioimaging nitric oxide in activated macrophages in vitro and hepatic inflammation in vivo based on a copper–naphthoimidazol coordination compound

Nitric oxide (NO) serves as a messenger for cellular signaling and physiological reactions such as inflammatory responses in vivo. Fluorescent bioimaging of nitric oxide is a very useful tool in NO functional research. Although many encouraging results have been achieved in the field of NO fluorescent detection, there is rarely satisfying result in inflammatory NO imaging in vivo. Here we report that fluorescent 5′-chloro-2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-naphtho[2,3-d]imidazol can coordinate with Cu(II) to form a non-fluorescent coordination compound, which is able to directly and quickly image NO in cellular system or in vivo inflammation system with a turn-on fluorescence, based on a redox action of Cu(II). It was used to image NO produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated murine macrophages. More importantly, it could image the NO production in an acute severe hepatic injury (ASHI) model of BALB/c mice induced by integrative LPS and d-galactosamine (GalN) treatment. The results prove that the 5′-chloro-2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-naphtho[2,3-d]imidazol coordinated with cupric ions can serve as an excellent NO bioimaging agent in different biological systems especially in inflammation related systems, and it may be valuable for diagnostic and pathological studies of NO related diseases.     

镉胁迫下紫花苜蓿幼苗内源一氧化氮和活性氧的生成

以"甘农三号"紫花苜蓿幼苗为材料,在水培条件下,研究了不同浓度镉(Cd)胁迫下紫花苜蓿根、茎和叶内源一氧化氮(NO)和活性氧(ROS)的生成机制以及根系活力的变化.结果表明:在0~2.0 mmol·L-1范围内,随着Cd浓度的增加,幼苗内NO含量呈现先升高后降低的趋势,最后可维持在略高或持平于对照的水平.幼苗内一氧化氮合成酶(NOS)活性、硝酸还原酶(NR)活性、亚硝酸根离子(NO2-)含量和类胡萝卜素(Car)含量的变化与NO含量变化规律相似却又不全相同.NOS和NR是影响幼苗茎中NO含量的主要因素,NOS、NO2-和NR则是影响叶中NO含量的主要因素,而根中NO含量主要与NOS活性和NO2-含量有较大相关性.随着Cd浓度的增加,幼苗内过氧化氢(H2 O2)含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧阴离子(O-2·)含量和相对电导率(REC)呈现显著升高趋势,说明高浓度的Cd处理会使ROS大量积累,细胞膜遭破坏,细胞质外流,进而引发膜脂过氧化.随着Cd浓度的增加,紫花苜蓿根系活力的变化为先升高后降低,指示了低浓度Cd处理会促进植物代谢,增强其生命力;而高浓度Cd会致使植株代谢受抑制,细胞受损害.NO和ROS的相关性不大,说明二者虽同为自由基,但它们产生和变化方式大有差别.     

Lutein-chlorophyll-a energy transfer in detergent micelles

Absorption, fluorescence and fluorescence excitation spectra were determined for equimolar mixed micellar detergent solutions of lutein and chlorophyll-a in the concentration range from 9·10^?6 to 1.8·10^?4 M, with detergent (triton-X100) concentrations from 3·-10^?4 to 7·10^?3 M. In the range of detergent concentrations studied the pigments incorporated into the detergent micelles attained a high local concentration (0.1 to 0.01 M), reminiscent of pigment concentration within the chloroplast. A lutein → chlorophyll-a energy transfer with an efficiency of about 15% was found in these systems. In dilute (9·10^?6 M) pigment solution with concentrated (7·10^?3 M) detergent practically no transfer is observed. The extent of aggregation and the efficiency of transfer depend on the composition of the system. The aggregation of chlorophyll-a is partly inhibited by lutein molecules. It is shown that the energy transfer efficiency as function of distance follows anr ^?3 relationship,R ₀ being 22 å.     

Simple and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of pregabalin in capsules through derivatization with fluorescamine

A new, simple and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method has been developed for the determination of pregabalin (PG) in capsules. The method is based on the reaction between pregabalin and fluorescamine in borate buffer solution of pH 10 to give a highly fluorescent derivative that is measured at 487 nm after excitation at 390 nm. The different experimental parameters affecting the development and stability of the reaction product were carefully studied and optimized. The fluorescence intensity concentration plot was rectilinear over the range of 0.01–0.3 µg mL^?1 with a lower detection limit of 0.0017 µg mL^?1 and limit of quantitation of 0.005 µg mL^?1. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of the drug in its commercial capsules. The mean percentage recovery of PG in its capsule was 99.93±1.24 (n = 3). Statistical comparison of the results with those of the comparison method revealed good agreement and proved that there was no significant difference in the accuracy and precision of the two methods. A proposed reaction pathway was postulated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.