Magnetic molecularly imprinted nanoparticles for indirect electrochemical detection of matrine

Matrine (MT), a traditional Chinese medicine, holds considerable medicinal significance due to its notable properties, including antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant, and antidepressant effects. The rapid advancement of assay technology for MT holds significant value in the realm of pharmacological research. This report proposes a novel electrochemical method for the detection of MT. The suggested methodology consists of preparing magnetic molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (MMINPs) using Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles as a substrate material, MT as a template molecule, and tetraethyl orthosilicate as a polymeric monomer. The prepared MMINPs were then used to enrich and separate MT molecules in sample solutions. Finally, MT is detected indirectly by anodic stripping voltammetry followed by the adsorption of metal ions through ligand action. Under optimal conditions, MT showed excellent linearity and selectivity over a wide concentration range, 0.4 nmol L-1 to 4 mmol L-1. In addition, the recovery of MT from the ethanolic solution of the extracts from Kushen tablets ranged between 96.65% and 101.16%. Consequently, the proposed method shows promising results in accurately detecting traces of MT in target compounds, indicating its potential for widespread application in medical and pharmacological fields.