Establishment of Dao-Di index and its significance in quality control and rational usage of Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

ABSTRACT

There exists numerous indices for quality evaluation and control in Chinese medicinal materials. However, most of these indices are qualitative and non-interrelated each other, as well as having little relationship with safety and efficiency. In this article, we first establish a comprehensive evaluating index--Dao-Di index (DDI) based on five factors relative history of producing areas, ecological suitability of producing areas, commercial specification and grade, golden rate of main components, and biopotency/ toxic potency. This DDI can be used to guarantee the quality of Chinese medicinal materials more comprehensively, objectively and effectively, promoting the integration of 'species-quality-property-effect-usage', and it will provide significant references and revelation for taking a world leading role of quality control standard for tranditional medicines.