What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to develop a sensitive sensor for the simultaneous detection of tetrandrine and fangchinoline in various matrices.

March 30, 2026Open Access

Multimodal Voltammetric sensor using Pd@ErGO nanocomposite for selective or simultaneous determination of Tetrandrine and Fangchinoline in traditional Chinese medicine and biological matrices

Key Points

The aim is to develop a sensitive sensor for the simultaneous detection of tetrandrine and fangchinoline in various matrices.
Development of a glassy carbon electrode modified with palladium-doped electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (Pd@ErGO/GCE)
Utilization of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) for quantification
Assessment of sensor performance in serum and urine samples with recovery analysis
Achieved low detection limits of 15 nM for tetrandrine and 34 nM for fangchinoline
Validation against HPLC-UV demonstrated method accuracy for pharmaceutical quality control
High reproducibility with recovery rates between 95.7% and 104% in serum and 97.4% to 103% in urine

Abstract

In this work, a sensitive glassy carbon electrode modified with palladium-doped electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (Pd@ErGO/GCE) was developed for the selective and simultaneous determination of tetrandrine (TET) and fangchinoline (FAN). The electrochemical behavior was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and a multimodal voltammetric platform was established: (1) differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) quantification of TET (LOD = 55 nM), (2) linear sweep voltametric (LSV) determination of total content (LOD = 45 nM), and (3) simultaneous determination of both analytes via DPV. The methods have great reproducibility and repeatability, great interference tolerance, and satisfactory accuracy in serum (recovery: 95.7% ~ 104%) and urine (97.4% ~ 103%). Comprehensive validation against HPLC-UV ( t = 0.32) confirmed method accuracy for pharmaceutical quality control in Radix Stephaniae tetrandrae. This methodology offers a reliable framework for alkaloid monitoring in herbal and biological matrices. • Pd@ErGO/GCE enables multimodal detection of TET and FAN • Low detection limits of 15 nM (TET) and 34 nM (FAN) were achieved • High discriminatory power against the structural analog magnoflorine • Retention >90% after 12-day storage confirms robust stability • Successful application in serum, urine, and herbal medicine samples

Multimodal Voltammetric sensor using Pd@ErGO nanocomposite for selective or simultaneous determination of Tetrandrine and Fangchinoline in traditional Chinese medicine and biological matrices

Key Points

Abstract

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