Application of Relative Quality Constant in Grade Evaluation of Codonopsis Radix Slices / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To establish the grade evaluation method for Codonopsis Radix slices based relative quality constants， in order to provide scientific theoretical basis for grading of Codonopsis Radix slices. Method:Through literature and market research，the main production areas of Codonopsis Radix slices were determined，and 67 batches of Ludangshen slices（52 batches） and Baitiaodang slices （15 batches） were collected. The appearance traits （average quality and average thickness of Codonopsis Radix slices） were observed and measured. According to Chinese Pharmacopoeia （2015 edition）， the extract and the content of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide was determined by phenol-sulphoacid method. Then the relative quality constant was calculated，and the results of grade evaluation were evaluated through systematic cluster analysis and correlation analysis. Result:Relative quality constants of 67 batches of Codonopsis Radix slices were between 0.32-2.97. If these samples were divided into three grades：the first-grade relative quality constants were greater than or equal to 2.08，the second grade was greater than or equal to 0.89 but less than 2.08，while the third grade was less than 0.89. The results of systematic cluster analysis showed that 67 batches of Codonopsis Radix slices were clustered into 3 categories，and the results were basically consistent with the classification. The correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the content of the extracts and the polysaccharide content （P<0.05）. Conclusion:This method links the extrinsic characteristics to the intrinsic quality，and objectively grade Codonopsis Radix slices， so as to provide a basis for its grade standards.

Application of relative quality constant in grades evaluation of bran stir-baked Aurantii Fructus / 中国中药杂志

The specifications of Chinese herbal medicines naturally form and exist in the circulation and use of Chinese herbal medicines.Buyers and sellers negotiate price by quality. With the increasing demand for public health care,the cultivation,processing methods and circulation of Chinese herbal medicines have changed. Under the mode of pursuing output and short-term benefits,the traditional grade evaluation method has been difficult to apply to the current quality status of the pieces. Bran stir-baked Aurantii Fructus is a genuine medicinal material in Jiangxi province. It is widely used,but the quality level of bran stir-baked Aurantii Fructus on the market is not uniform. Quality constant method was used in this paper for grading the Chinese herbal slices of bran stir-baked Aurantii Fructus. Sixteen batches of different quality samples were collected and tested,and finally,eleven qualified batches of them were chosen as researcher objects. The results showed that the relative quality constant ranged from 2. 52 to 5. 60. The relative quality constant was ≥4. 48 for first grade bran stir-baked Aurantii Fructus,2. 80-4. 48 for the second grade pieces,and <2. 80 for the third grade pieces. The grades evaluation method for bran stir-baked Aurantii Fructus established in this paper included both appearance and index composition. The results were objective,accurate,quantitative,applicable,and the method was simple to operate and easy to popularize. This study showed that the quality constant method could be applied to the grade evaluation of bran stir-baked Aurantii Fructus,providing a reference for the grade evaluation of fruit-type decoction pieces.

Grade Evaluation of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex Processed with Ginger Juice Based on Relative Quality Constant / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To establish the grade evaluation standard for Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex processed with ginger juice by combining traditional morphology evaluation with modern intrinsic quality evaluation. Method: The morphological parameters and contents of intrinsic pharmacodynamic index components of 28 batches of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex processed with ginger juice were determined, and the relative quality constants were calculated. Assuming that the average relative quality constant was 100%, more than 120%of the samples were classified as the first grade, 60%to 120%as the second grade, the remaining as the third grade. Result: The relative quality constant of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex processed with ginger juice ranged from 0.09 to 1.78. The relative quality constant of the first grade was ≥ 0.64, the second grade was 0.32-0.64, while the third grade was ≤ 0.32. Conclusion: Relative quality constant combines external indexes of traditional morphology and internal indexes of pharmacodynamic components, which can objectively, reasonably and scientifically classify the grade of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex processed with ginger juice, and provide reference for establishing and improving the grade evaluation standard of this decoction pieces.

Grades evaluation of Phellodendri chinensis cortex pieces based on quality constant / 中国中药杂志

Quality constant is a comprehensive grades evaluation method for traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces, which is better but based on traditional way. In this paper, a new grading mode for Phellodendri chinensis pieces was established based on quality constant evaluation method. The results showed that the range of relative quality constant for 15 batches of different samples was from 0.41 to 0.96. As customary, if these samples were divided into three grades: the relative quality constant shall be ≥0.77 for first grade; <0.77 but ≥0.48 for the second grade; and ＜0.48 for the third grade. This research indicated that the quality constant mode can be used to effectively grade the P. chinensis pieces in a scientific, reasonable, objective and specific way. Simultaneously, it provided a beneficial reference for grading cortex herbal pieces or medicines.

Application of relative quality constant in grades evaluation of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizome pieces / 中国中药杂志

Quality constant evaluation is a comprehensive method for grades evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine pieces, but when it comes to Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizome pieces, grades evaluation is diverged due to significant difference in contents of liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid and unreasonable weight of index. To solve this problem, we have established a relative quality constant method in this paper to evaluate grades of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizome pieces. Twenty-nine batches of different quality samples were collected and tested, and finally, 17 batches of them were chosen as researcher objects. The results revealed that the range of the relative quality constant of these samples was from 1.78 to 11.49. When Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizome pieces are divided into three grades: the relative quality constant of first grade is greater than or equal to 9.19; the second grade is greater than or equal to 5.75 but less than 9.19; while the third grade is less than 5.75. This research indicates that relative quality constant can divide the grades of herbal pieces in a scientific, reasonable, objective and specific way and remedy the shortage of quality constant perfectly. It provides a novel mode for grading pieces of Chinese medicine that contains multi-target ingredients.