ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the possibility of selectively detoxifying aristolochic acids in Aristolochiae manshuriensis (Guanmutong) by the chemical properties of aristolochic acids and traditional Chinese processing experience.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The technical parameters in processing technique of A. manshuriensis were optimized by orthogonal designed methods with aristolochic acid A.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The processing technique was soaked in 0.1 mol x L(-1) baking soda for several times and then processing with vinegar. Temperature was important factor to detoxify aristolochic acids. aristolochic acid A were removed over 90% from A. manshuriensis in laboratory and over 80% in medium-scale production by 10 batches from two origins of botanical drugs with different contents, and decreased to 0.35-0.60 mg x g(-1) in processed products. aristolochic acid A existed mostly salt-forms in the botanical drug.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Most toxic components in Guanmutong could be removed by the new processing method.</p>