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Eleutherococcus senticosus is one of the Dao-di herbs in northeast China. In this study, the chloroplast genomes of three E. senticosus samples from different genuine producing areas were sequenced and then used for the screening of specific DNA barcodes. The germplasm resources and genetic diversity of E. senticosus were analyzed basing on the specific DNA barcodes. The chloroplast genomes of E. senticosus from different genuine producing areas showed the total length of 156 779-156 781 bp and a typical tetrad structure. Each of the chloroplast genomes carried 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs. The chloroplast genomes were relatively conserved. Sequence analysis of the three chloroplast genomes indicated that atpI, ndhA, ycf1, atpB-rbcL, ndhF-rpl32, petA-psbJ, psbM-psbD, and rps16-psbK can be used as specific DNA barcodes of E. senticosus. In this study, we selected atpI and atpB-rbcL which were 700-800 bp and easy to be amplified for the identification of 184 E. senticosus samples from 13 genuine producing areas. The results demonstrated that 9 and 10 genotypes were identified based on atpI and atpB-rbcL sequences, respectively. Furthermore, the two barcodes identified 23 genotypes which were named H1-H23. The haplotype with the highest proportion and widest distribution was H10, followed by H2. The haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were 0.94 and 1.82×10~(-3), respectively, suggesting the high genetic diversity of E. senticosus. The results of the median-joining network analysis showed that the 23 genotypes could be classified into 4 categories. H2 was the oldest haplotype, and it served as the center of the network characterized by starlike radiation, which suggested that population expansion of E. senticosus occurred in the genuine producing areas. This study lays a foundation for the research on the genetic quality and chloroplast genetic engineering of E. senticosus and further research on the genetic mechanism of its population, providing new ideas for studying the genetic evolution of E. senticosus.
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DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic , Eleutherococcus/genetics , Base Sequence , Chloroplasts/genetics , Genetic Variation , PhylogenyABSTRACT
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes-tungsten oxide (MWCNTs-WOx) nanocomposites were fabricated on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) through a simple electrodeposition method,in which WOx were fabricated on MWCNTs. The morphology and constitution were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). Electrochemical characterization of modified electrode was done by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The cyclic voltammogram (CV)method was adopted to investigate the electrochemical behavior of dopamine (DA) on MWCNTs-WOx-modified glassy carbon electrode, and a new detection method for DA was developed by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The results showed that MWCNTs-WOx nanocomposites had obvious electrocatalytic effect on DA in phosphate buffer solution (pH=6.5). Under the optimized experimental conditions, the DA peak current demonstrated a good linear relationship with concentration in the range of 0.05-1.00 mmol/L, and the detection limit was 17 μmol/L(S/N=3). Effects of different experimental parameters on the response current of the modified electrode were investigated,and it was found that the prepared electrochemical sensor displayed good reproducibility,high selectivity and strong anti-interference ability. UA did not interfere with the detection of DA. A new electrochemical method for the quantitative determination of DA was established and successfully applied to the determination of dopamine hydrochloride injection samples.
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Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Modified Huoxiang Zhengqi Soft Capsule in treatment of gastrointestinal type cold with exogenous wind-cold and endogenous damp stagnation syndrome.Methods A multi-center and double-blind double-dummy randomized controlled trial was conducted.440 patients of gastrointestinal type cold with exogenous wind-cold and endogenous damp stagnation syndrome were enrolled from Januarary to July 2013.They were randomly divided into two groups,the trial group of 330 cases and the control group of 110 cases.The trial group was given Modified Huoxiang Zhengqi Soft Capsule and Huoxiang Zhengqi Soft Capsule analogue three times a day for 3 days.The control group received Huoxiang Zhengqi Soft Capsule and Modified Huoxiang Zhengqi Soft Capsule analogue three times a day for 3 days.Clinical symptoms,signs and symptoms and adverse effect were observed and blood test,routine urine and stool test,feces occult blood,hepatorenal function and electrocardiogram were examined before and after treatment.Results In terms of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome and efficacy after treatment,the clinical healing rates of the trial group and the control group were 50.000％,35.455％ for full analysis set and50.464％,35.780％ for per protocol set.The overall effective rates were 94.848％,76.364％ for full analysis set and 96.285％,77.064％ for per protocol set.There were significant differences between the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).In addition,there were significant differences in clinical healing rates and overall effective rates of symptoms including diarrhea,nausea and vomiting,rhinobyon and rhinorrhea,fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm and abdominal swelling and pain between two groups (P ＜ 0.05).However,the difference in overall effective rates of headache and lightheadedness symptom were significant (P ＜ 0.05) except for clinical healing rate.No adverse effects were found in the trial.Conclusion Modified Huoxiang Zhengqi Soft Capsule is effective and safe in treatment of gastrointestinal type cold with exogenous wind-cold and endogenous damp stagnation syndrome and its effect is better than that of Huoxiang Zhengqi Soft Capsule.
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Objective:To analyze the expression levels of the HIF-1αin the tissues of gastric cancer and the molecular mechanism in the pathogenesis of the gastric cancer .Methods:A total of 60 patients resided at the Hehuang valley in Qinghai province and diagnosed to gastric cancer were collected to plateau group .And the 60 patients resided at the plains (Shenzhen) and diagnosed to gastric cancer were collected to plains group .The specimens of gastric cancer in two groups were collected .The levels of HIF-1αprotein were detected by the SP method of the immunological histochemistry and compared between two groups .The levels of HIF-1αgene were detected by the RT-PCR and compared between two groups .And the levels of miR-210 were detected by the RT-PCR and compared between two groups .To analyze the relationship between the expression of HIF-1αand clinicopathological features in patients with gastric cancer.Results:The levels of HIF-1αprotein in plateau group were higher than in plains group (P<0.05).The levels of HIF-1αgene in plateau group were higher than in plains group (P<0.05).The levels of miR-210 in plateau group were higher than in plains group(P<0.05).The positive expression of HIF-1αin gastric cancer was related to tumor differentiation (P=0.0441),invasion depth (P=0.0319),lymph node metastasis(P=0.0253) and TNM staging(P=0.0289).Conclusion:The expression levels of the HIF-1αin the tissues of gastric cancer are upregulated under hypoxia environment , and the HIF-1αcan improve the development of the gastric cancer.
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AIM:To evaluate specific metabolomics profiles in the serum of patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS) and to explore the potential metabolic biomarkers in the native Tibetans living on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.METHODS:A gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) approach as a metabolomics technique was used to evaluate metabolic differences.The native Tibetan CMS patients (n =10) and healthy Tibetan controls (n =10) were enrolled from YuShu in Qinghai province in this study.The serum samples were collected and analyzed by GC-TOF-MS coupled with a series of multivariate statistical analyses such as principal component analysis (PCA),partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA).RESULTS:The intergroup differences between CMS patients and control subjects have been observed.A list of differential metabolites and several top altered rnetabolic pathways have been identified.The levels of fumaric acid,an intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle,and inosine were highly upregulated in the CMS patients,suggesting a greater effort to hypoxic adaptation in high elevation area.Other differential metabolites,such as methyl phosphate,2-ketoadipate,lyxose and phytanic acid were also identified.Importantly,the differential metabolites possessed higher area under the ROC curve (AUC) values,indicating an excellent clinical ability for the prediction of CMS.Increased levels of amino acids (isoleucine,glycine,serine,L-cysteine,citrulline and trimethyllysine) were detected in CMS group,yet significantly decreased levels of sulfuric acid,oxamic acid,lyxose and glutamine were also detected in CMS group than those in control group.At the same time,the levels of ribose and glucose-1-phosphate were markedly elevated in CMS group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION:The metabolic activities are significantly altered in the serum of CMS patients.High altitude hypoxia may act on the disturbed glucose metabolism and amino acid metabolism in part of the Tibetan triggered by CMS.
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Aristolochiae Fructus, a Chinese herbal medicine derived from the fruit of Aristolochia contorta Bge., contains nephrotoxic aristolochic acid analogues (AAAs). According to ancient medical texts, various medicinal parts of the fruit of A. contorta were ever used. In order to reveal which part could be safely and effectively used, it is necessary to analyze the chemical profiles of different medicinal parts. Herein we compared the chemical compositions and determined aristolochic acid I (AA-I) and aristolochic acid II (AA-II) in the four parts viz. outer pericarp, inner pericarp, septum, and seed. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS) was applied for chemical profiling. Ultra-high performance liquid coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS) was employed to quantify AA-I and AA-II in different parts. It was found that the chemical compositions of the four parts varied both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 10 AAAs, including 5 aristolochic acids and 5 aristolactams, together with 3 alkaloids, were unambiguously or tentatively identified by UHPLC-QTOF-MS. The quantitatively analytical results obtained by UHPLC-QqQ-MS showed that AA-I and AA-II exclusively accumulate in the seeds of A. contorta. These findings provide supporting data for the rational selection of medicinal parts.
Subject(s)
Aristolochia , Chemistry , Aristolochic Acids , Chemistry , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Chemistry , Fruit , Chemistry , Molecular Structure , Tandem Mass SpectrometryABSTRACT
AIM:To evaluate specific metabolomics profiles in the serum of patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS) and to explore the potential metabolic biomarkers in the native Tibetans living on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.METHODS:A gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) approach as a metabolomics technique was used to evaluate metabolic differences.The native Tibetan CMS patients (n =10) and healthy Tibetan controls (n =10) were enrolled from YuShu in Qinghai province in this study.The serum samples were collected and analyzed by GC-TOF-MS coupled with a series of multivariate statistical analyses such as principal component analysis (PCA),partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA).RESULTS:The intergroup differences between CMS patients and control subjects have been observed.A list of differential metabolites and several top altered rnetabolic pathways have been identified.The levels of fumaric acid,an intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle,and inosine were highly upregulated in the CMS patients,suggesting a greater effort to hypoxic adaptation in high elevation area.Other differential metabolites,such as methyl phosphate,2-ketoadipate,lyxose and phytanic acid were also identified.Importantly,the differential metabolites possessed higher area under the ROC curve (AUC) values,indicating an excellent clinical ability for the prediction of CMS.Increased levels of amino acids (isoleucine,glycine,serine,L-cysteine,citrulline and trimethyllysine) were detected in CMS group,yet significantly decreased levels of sulfuric acid,oxamic acid,lyxose and glutamine were also detected in CMS group than those in control group.At the same time,the levels of ribose and glucose-1-phosphate were markedly elevated in CMS group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION:The metabolic activities are significantly altered in the serum of CMS patients.High altitude hypoxia may act on the disturbed glucose metabolism and amino acid metabolism in part of the Tibetan triggered by CMS.
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Based on a systematic review of morphology and distribution of plants, alternate names, actions, and properties of herbs recorded in ancient and modern literatures, in combination of field investigation, 18 Chinese herbal medicines recorded in ancient bencao literature were regarded to be derived from 7 species in the Ardisia genus. Among them, the variety Ardisia crenata f. hortensis was identified as the source of Zhushagen and Zijinniu. A. hanceana is referenced as Tiesan in the illustrated atlas of Botanical Nomenclature (Zhiwu Mingshi Tukao). The name Pingdimu refers to a different substance in the illustrated atlas of Botanical Nomenclature and the Flower Mirror (Huajing). The medicinals named Yedihong, Aicha, and Duanjiao sanlangare all derived from A. japonica. The origin of the herb Xiaoqing referenced in the Illustrated Classic of the Materia Medica (Bencao Tujing) is A. pusilla. The medicinals Bailiangjin, Jiuguanxue and Zoumatai are derived from A. crispa, A. brevicaulis, and A. gigantifolia, respectively. This investigation clarifies the botanical sources and actions of related Chinese medicinal materials in the genus Ardisia, and provides clues and evidence for utilizing and developing their medicinal plant resources.
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Many foreign medicinal materials that were imported to China via the Silk Road and maritime trade have enriched Chinese medicine. Imported foreign medicines reached a high point by the Tang and Song Dynasties, particularly in the case of aromatic medicines, which supplemented domestic Chinese aromatics and were widely employed in official dispensaries in the Song Dynasty. This study investigated historical records related to imported Chinese medicines in the Tang and Song periods, focusing on their varieties, quantity, use, and localization trends. Foreign medicines were assimilated as Chinese medical theory was applied to interpret their effects, and aromatics such as frankincense that were extremely expensive in the Tang Dynasty became accessible to common people by the Song Dynasty. By the Song Dynasty, some foreign medicines began to be domestically cultivated and the boundary between foreign and traditional Chinese medicines became blurred; foreign medicines gradually transformed into Chinese medicines. The importation of foreign medicines during the Tang and Song Dynasties was a historical turning point that contributed greatly to the development of traditional Chinese medicine.
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Heshouwu, derived from the root of Polygonum multiflorum (=Fallopia multiflora), is widely used in the Chinese medicine market as a traditional tonic. The emergence of heshouwu material with a human shape reflects a pursuit of its supplementing effects. However, reports of Heshouwu toxicity have repeatedly surfaced in recent years, attracting widespread concern. To clarify the situation surrounding the safety and efficacy of Heshouwu, this research utilizes a systematic review of the text and illustrations in historical bencao (materia medica) literature to investigate the origin, botanical characteristics, actions and processing of Heshouwu, as well as the origin and historical evolution of Baishouwu ("white Heshouwu").
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Chinese medicinal authentication is fundamental for the standardization and globalization of Chinese medicine. The discipline of authentication addresses difficult issues that have remained unresolved for thousands of years, and is essential for preserving safety. Chinese medicinal authentication has both scientific and traditional cultural connotations; the use of scientific methods to elucidate traditional experience-based differentiation carries the legacy of Chinese medicine forward, and offers immediate practical significance and long-term scientific value. In this paper, a path of inheritance and innovation is explored through the scientific exposition of Chinese medicinal authentication, featuring a review of specialized publications, the establishment of a Chinese medicine specimen center and Chinese medicinal image databases, the expansion of authentication technologies, and the formation of a cultural project dedicated to the Compedium of Materia Medica.
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Humans , Drug Contamination , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Chemistry , Reference Standards , Materia Medica , Chemistry , Reference Standards , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Reference Standards , Reference StandardsABSTRACT
On-site field investigation was conducted to authenticate a batch of ancient Chinese medicinal decoction pieces that have been preserved in a rare collection at the Natural History Museum in London. These treasured artifacts comprise a portion of the Sloane Collection, and the nearly one hundred Chinese medicinal specimens examined within provide an objective record of the real situation regarding the Chinese medicinal materials in commercial circulation three hundred years ago. The precious data from this collection pro-vides an extremely valuable reference for the research into the history of medicinal exchange between China and the West during the Age of Exploration, shedding light on the evolution and historical changes in the species used in Chinese medicine, as well as the history of medicinal processing and decoction pieces.
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal , History, Ancient , London , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , History , MuseumsABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to isolate and purify polysaccharide from Gynura divaricata and analyze its monosaccharide composition. A water-soluble crude polysaccharide was obtained by hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation and deproteinization after degreasing. The crude polysaccharide then purified with DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow column chromatography and dialysis. The monosaccharide composition and structure were analyzed by HPLC, UV spectrophotometer and 1H-NMR. The results showed that the purity and molecular weight of GDPS-2 and GDPS-3 were 87.3%, 2.03 x 10(4) Da and 90.9%, 4.29 x 10(4) Da, respectively. The UV spectrophotometer and 1H-NMR data suggested that glycosidic bond of GDPS-2 and GDPS-3 were a type. Both GDPs-2 and GDPs-3 were homogeneous polysaccharides, and GDPs-2 was mainly composed of glucuronic acid and xylose at a molar ratio of 1.1:0.63. GDPs-3 was mainly composed of rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galactose, xylose and galacturonic acid at a molar ratio of 0.32:6.0:0.21:1.75:4.3.
Subject(s)
Asteraceae , Chemistry , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Chemistry , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Molecular Weight , Polysaccharides , ChemistryABSTRACT
In recent years, the incidence of diabetes has been increasing year by year. Along with it, the problems of high medical cost and health resource shortage also make the diabetes the key chronic disease of health service management in our country. There are significant features and advantages in treatment of diabetes with traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, the construction mode of two-way referral care for diabetes patients between TCM hospitals and community medical institutions is just unfolding. Based on the status quo of TCM treatment for diabetes, this article reviewed the present basic situation of the two-way referral care for diabetes patients in TCM hospitals and community medical institutions, discussed the significance of this mode for diabetes patients in TCM hospital, emphasized the feasibility and validity of implementing this mode, and provided beneficial exploration and consideration for further development of this mode for diabetes patients between TCM hospitals and community medical institutions.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and often fatal disease. Early after pulmonary thromboembolism, inflammation and associated intimal hyperplasia occur within the pulmonary arteries, similar to what is observed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. This study tested the hypothesis that thrombolytic and anticoagulant agents would have anti-inflammatory effects or inhibit intimal hyperplasia of involved pulmonary arteries.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-two male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups (54 rabbits in the PE group and 18 in the sham group). Experimental PE was induced in 54 rabbits by femoral vein injection of autologous blood clots and confirmed with pulmonary angiography, and other 18 rabbits underwent sham operations. Fifty-four rabbits in the PE group were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (treated with normal saline), a low-molecular- weight heparin (LMWH) group (treated with LMWH), and a urokinase (UK) group (treated with UK). Arterial blood gas was analyzed at 2, 7, and 28 days (n = 6 per time point by random group division), then lung tissues were removed and were analyzed for pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and were stained for intimal hyperplasia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall survival of rabbits undergoing PE was 100%. PE distribution detected on digital signal angiography (DSA) and histopathology was shown in 67% of rabbits (36/54) in the bilateral low lobar pulmonary arteries (PAs). The results showed that alveolar-arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) difference (PA-aO2) significantly increased and PO2 decreased in the control group compared with the sham group. Compared with controls, the UK group had a decreased level of PA-aO2 on day 2 (P < 0.05), however, there was no significant difference in the LMWH group. Compared with controls, the LMWH group had a decreased level of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in affected tissue and serum samples on days 7 and 28 (P < 0.05), and the UK group had decreased levels on days 2 and 7 (P < 0.05). Compared with sham group, all PE groups had an increased level of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in unaffected lung tissue samples at days 2 and 7. IL-13 in affected lung tissue in the LMWH group was decreased at all time points compared with controls (P < 0.05). However, TGF-β in affected lung tissue of the LMWH and UK groups increased at day 28. There was less intimal hyperplasia in involved pulmonary arteries at days 7 and 28 in the LMWH group compared with controls; there was no statistical difference in the UK group compared with controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>UK treatment can rapidly improve the V/Q mismatch in PE and appears a short-term anti-inflammatory benefit. However, LMWH maybe inhibit the later local inflammatory reaction and reduce intimal hyperplasia.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rabbits , Chemokines , Cytokines , Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight , Therapeutic Uses , Oxygen , Blood , Pulmonary Artery , Pathology , Pulmonary Embolism , Drug Therapy , Allergy and Immunology , Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator , Therapeutic UsesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in the first-line treatment of HER-2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen Chinese research centers are involved in the BO18255 (ToGA) study. Patients with gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer were eligible for inclusion if their tumor showed overexpression of HER-2 protein by immunohistochemistry +++ or FISH-positive. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive a chemotherapy regimen consisting of capecitabine or 5-FU plus cisplatin or chemotherapy in combination with intravenous trastuzumab. The primary endpoint was overall survival.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eighty-five Chinese patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 84 were included in the primary analysis: trastuzumab plus chemotherapy (FP/H) (n = 36) and chemotherapy alone (FP)(n = 48). The median follow-up was 15.2 months in the FP/H group and 14.2 months in the FP group. The median survival time was 12.6 months in the FP/H group compared with 9.7 months in the FP group [hazard ratio 0.72, 95%CI (0.40; 1.29)]. Grade 3/4 adverse events were higher in the FP/H(63.9%)than FP (47.9%) groups, including neutropenia, vomiting and nausea. Two mild cardiac adverse events occurred in the FP/H group. Severe adverse events occurred in 3 cases of both two groups, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy is well tolerated and shows improved survival in Chinese patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer. These results are consistent with the results of ToGA whole population trial. Trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy can be considered as a new option for patients with HER-2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer.</p>
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols , Therapeutic Uses , Capecitabine , China , Cisplatin , Deoxycytidine , Esophageal Neoplasms , Drug Therapy , Pathology , Esophagogastric Junction , Fluorouracil , Follow-Up Studies , Nausea , Neoplasm Staging , Neutropenia , Receptor, ErbB-2 , Metabolism , Remission Induction , Retrospective Studies , Stomach Neoplasms , Drug Therapy , Pathology , Survival Rate , Trastuzumab , VomitingABSTRACT
Bioactivity of Danggui is linked to the content of ligustilide, but the relationship between ligustilide with herb shape, cultivating areas and plant species is still unknown. The relationship was investigated by quantifying on the amounts of Z-ligustilide and E-ligustilide by HPLC-DAD-MS method, and then comparing the content of ligustilides (the sum of Z-ligustilide and E-ligustilide) among forty-four various "Danggui" samples containing thirty Chinese Danggui (CDG), six Japanese Danggui (JDG), four Korea Danggui (KDG) and four European Danggui (EDG). Results showed that the content of ligustilides in CDG samples (Angelica sinensis) was in the range of 5.63-24.53 mg x g(-1) with the mean of 11.02 mg x g(-1) (n = 30). Ligustilides amounts were varied among samples cultivated in different areas in China, i. e. 13.90 mg x g(-1) (n = 6) in Yannan, 12.51 mg x g(-1) (n = 6) in Sichuan and 10.04 mg x g(-1) (n = 13) in Gansu. It was also found that ligustilides content was related to the shape, color and fragrance of herb, e. g. the relative larger amount of ligustilides was in the small main root, long rootlet and perfumed sample. Further, ligustilides contents were estimated to be 1.00 mg x g(-1) (n = 6) in JDG samples (A. acutiloba and A. acutiloba var. sugiyamae) and 2.78 mg x g(-1) (n = 2) in EDG samples (lovage root, Levisticum officinale). However, ligustilides could not be detected in the four KDG samples (A. gigas) and two EDG samples (angelica root, A. archangelica). It has been concluded that ligustilide is significant variant among plant species, which may result in the variety of bioactivity and therapeutic effect.