A.V. Agrafenin - Senior Research Scientist, Scientific Research and Educational Center of Biomedical Technology, All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR) (Moscow). E-mail: agrafenin@mail.ru
Yu.V. Abramov - Ph.D. (Biol.), Head of Section, Scientific Research and Educational Center of Biomedical Technology, All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR) (Moscow). E-mail: abramov.vilar@yandex.ru
P.G. Mizina - Dr. Sc. (Pharm), Professor Head of Scientific-Organizational Section, All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR) (Moscow). E-mail: mizina-pg@yandex.ru

The method of express-identification and quality control of herbal medicines, based on Raman spectroscopy improved by the strengthening of the spectrum on the surface of activated silver (SERS), was developed. The possibility of developement of the spectral database for express non-destructive identification of the mixture of the components in the solution of dimethylsulfoxide was established. As result, no changes in the spectra of alpizarine, helepine and their mixtures in demetilsulfoxide were found, that prove the stability of the molecular structure of these active components due to the reactions in a mixture or with the solvent. Selected characteristic bands suitable for identification and quantitative analysis of alpizarine and helepine in the mixture in the solution of dimethylsulfoxide were established. The intensive band in the area of 1050 cm-1 was found, suitable for identification and quantitative analysis of alpizarine. The characteristic strip in the spectre of helepine was found in the area of 600 cm-1, corresponding to longitudinal circular fluctuations B-C (where B = phenol core) in the molecule of quercetin in solution. In conclusion the SERS Raman spectroscopy was found suitable for the rapid method of identification (authentication) of the substances extracted from plants and for developing the database of spectra for express identification of the medicine active components in their mixture.