Résumé
Object To demonstrate the naked truth of four therapeutic features of TCM (cold, hot, warm and cool) from biophysical and biochemical point of view. Methods Growth thermogenesis curves of Escherichia coli were determined under different conditions by microcalorimetry to give biothermodynamic parameters, such as multiplication constant (k), median inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ), and enthalpy (?H). Differences between folia ginseng and flos ginseng were comprehensively compared with reference to classical Chinese literatures on material medica. Results The bacteriostatic curve of both drugs were basically similar. With increasing concentration of decoctions of both drugs, the lag phase was delayed and the peaks shifted to the right. While the difference of ?H was stable, which decreases with the increasing concentration of Folium ginseng, but increases with increasing concentration of Flos ginseng. Conclusion Microcalorimetry is not only a new effective method to describe the therapeutic features of TCM, but also could be used as a tool for the screening of active TCM.