Application and advantage of near infrared spectroscopy technology in authentication of Chinese materia medica / 中国中药杂志

This review introduced the application of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in the identification of species, production area and processing method as well as quality evaluation of Chinese materia medica (CMM). By comparing with other authentication methods of CMM, the NIRS technology showed great advantages in exclusive identification of CMM, both identification and quality evaluation of CMM as well as identification of famous-region medicinal material. Finally, the future direction of the authentication of CMM by NIRS technology was suggested.

New bencaological studies of traditional Chinese medicine after name "doukou" / 中国中药杂志

Lots of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shares the same Chinese common names "Doukou". Because of similar Chinese names, appearances, functions and original plants, there are still no compromise on the original plants of "Doukou" up to now. Moreover, "Doukou" referred to more than one source of species, that is, it might refer to the Chinese crude drug derived from different plants during different historical periods. In order to identify the original botanical plants of "Doukou" during different historical periods and the relationship between these "Doukou", new bencaological studies of TCM under the name "Doukou" were carried out, which included the studies on literal description, image description, market investigation and systematic botanical research. A suggestion was made to change the Chinese name "Doukou" (Amomi Fructus Rotundus) to "Baidoukou".

Review of Astragali Radix / 中草药·英文版

Astragali Radix (AR), known as Huangqi in China, is one of the most popular herbal medicines learnt worldwide to reinforce Qi (the vital energy). AR is traditionally prepared from the dried roots of Astragalus membranaceus or A. membranaceus var. mongholicus. It has been reported to have cardiotonic, hepatoprotective, hypotensive, immunostimulant, anti-aging, anti-oxidative, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. The bioactive compounds were found to be flavonoids, saponins, polysaccharides, amino acids, and some trace elements. The present paper reviews the studies on AR including history, phytochemistry studies, pharmacological functions, and clinical application in recent years.

Comparative study of wild and cultivated astragali radix in Daqingshan district in Wuchuan of Neimenggu / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To make a comparative study on wild and cultivated Astragali Radix in Wuchuan, Neimenggu where is one of the geo-authentic producing areas of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>This comparative study focus on shapes and properties, microscopic features of transverse section and powder of roots, qualitative evaluation of wild and cultivated Astragali Radix.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Wild Astragali Radix had a cylindrical main root, 2 or 3 root branches, dark brown color and many lenticels on the root bark. Cultivated Astragali Radix had a long cylindrical root, few root branches, yellowish white or light brown and fewer lenticels on the root bark. The differences of microscopic features were that the number of cork cells layers in wild Astragali Radix was bigger than that in cultivated Astragali Radix; stone cells were only observed in wild Astragali Radix; distinct annual rings in the xylem were only existed in cultivated Astragali Radix. The results of qualitative evaluation reveal that the contents of major active isoflavonoids and saponins in wild Astragali Radix are higher than those in cultivated Astragali Radix.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There are some diagnostic differences in the main microscopic features of transverse section and powder between wild and cultivated Astragali Radix. The contents of major active isoflavonoids and saponins in wild Astragali Radix are higher than those in cultivated Astragali Radix. Our study provides important scientific evidence for reasonable and effective uses of wild and cultivated Astragali Radix in Wuchuan, and also provides a reliable basis for the quality control of Astragali Radix.</p>

Studies on macroscopic and microscopic identification of Cordyceps sinensis and its counterfeits / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide a rapid, simple, accurate and reproducible identification method from which Cordyceps sinensis can be distinguished from other species.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>To observe the larva and stroma of Cordyceps family with macroscopic identification method, and with powder microscopic identification method.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>For macroscopic, only stroma of C. sinensis is mostly non-inflated, and un-obtuse at the tip, the caterpillar annulations of C. sinensis and the C. gracilis is distinct, about 20-30, and feet of above two are 8 pairs, 4 of 8 pairs are relatively distinct. The above appearance shows its unique characteristic. For microscopic identification, only C. sinensis exists microtrichia, the tip is pointed. The arranging order of stubby setae is irregular, the tip is blunt while the basal is gradually broader; the top of some setae bends slightly like a hook.</p>

Determination of free ferulic acid and total ferulic acid in Chuanxiong by high-performance liquid chromatography for quality assessment / 中国中药杂志

Ferulic acid (FA) is one of the main bioactive compounds in Chuanxiong (CX), the dried rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong, but its amount in this herb is difficult to determine accurately. An accurate quantificational method was developed to investigate on the available amount of FA (free FA and total FA). Herbal samples were extracted in methanol-formic acid (95:5) and methanol-0.24 mol x L(-1) sodium hydrogen carbonate in water (95:5), respectively and then quantitatively analyzed by HPLC method. Thirty three CX samples were quantified on free and total FA. Total FA was found more abundant than free FA with an average ratio of 2.38 (n = 32) in the range of 1.03- 4.98 in 32 CX herbs, and a highest ratio of 19.6 was estimated in a rhizome seedling. Results showed that total FA content would be a better marker for the quality assessment of CX herbs. Fifteen CX typical samples were collected from the trueborn cultivating areas in Sichuan province of China. The amount of total FA in these herbs was estimated to be 1.42 mg x g(-1) (n = 15). The proposed limit of total FA in CX samples should not less than 1.25 mg x g(-1) calculated on the dried basis. It was also found that the level of total FA was related to the quality, processing method and store duration of CX samples.

Microscopic identification study of western herbs. Part I: Three Echinacea-species roots / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To make microscopic identification research of three Echinacea-species roots recorded in the United States Pharmacopeia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The root transverse section and powder of E. angustifolia, E. pallida, and E. purpurea were observed. The main microscopic features were photographed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The main microscopic features of transverse section and powder in three Echinacea-species roots are basically similar, except for some diagnostic differences. The results provide reliable reference for the authentication of raw materials of western herbal studies.</p>

A systematic study on confused species of Chinese materia medica in the Hong Kong market

As more and more people worldwide begin using Chinese herbs, authentication of these herbs becomes an increasingly critical, international problem. Mistakes, misidentification, or willful deception can cause illness and even death. Questionable authenticity with regard to Chinese herbs arises for a number of historical, geographical and nomenclatural reasons, which will be described in this paper. The current situation in the Hong Kong market and some suggestions for alleviating the problem are also discussed.