[Effectiveness of different maintenance methods for codonopsis radix].

OBJECTIVE: To observe different maintenance methods including vacuum-packing, storage together with tobacco, storage together with fennel, ethanol steam and sulfur fumigation for the protection of Codonopsis Radix against mildew and insect damage, and to analyze the content of polysaccharide and flavonoids of Codonopsis Radix tested in this studies, so as to look for the scientific maintenance methods replacing traditional sulfur fumigation. METHODS: Except for the sulfur fumigation, naturally air-dried Codonopsis Radix was used to investigate the maintenance effectiveness of the above methods, respectively. Mildew was observed by visual inspection, and the content of polysaccharide and flavonoids were determined by ultra-violet and visible spectrophotometer. Comprehensive evaluation was given based on the results of the different maintenance methods. RESULTS: Low-temperature vacuum-packing, ambient-temperature vacuum-packing and sulfur fumigation could keep Codonopsis Radix from mildew and insect damage for one year, but ambient-temperature vacuum-packing showed flatulent phenomenon; ethanol steam could keep Codonopsis Radix from mildew and insects for over half a year; storage together with tobacco or fennel did not have maintenance effect. The difference of polysaccharide and flavonoids contents of all tested Codonopsis Radix was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Low temperature vacuum-packing maintenance can replace traditional sulfur fumigation, and it can maintain the quality of Codonopsis Radix to a certain extent.

[Effect of Codonopsis Radix maintained with sulfur fumigation on immune function in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immune function of mice being given the extract of Codonopsis Radix maintained with sulfur fumigation. METHODS: Mice were divided into five groups. Except the normal control group, the mice were fed with the extract of Codonopsis Radix maintained with sulfur fumigation at the high,medium and low doses, as well as medium dose of Codonopsis Radix maintained with low-temperature vacuum method, respectively. Mice were treated once a day for 10 continuous days. Weight change,organ indexes, blood cell indices, macrophage phagocytic function, and IL-2 and IFN-γ levels were measured. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, Codonopsis Radix maintained with sulfur fumigation at medium and high doses inhibited body weight increase of mice; white blood cell count of high dose group was significantly increased; significant increase of macrophage phagocytosis were observed for all groups except the normal control group; and spleen index and IFN-γ level of Codonopsis Radix maintained with sulfur fumigation medium dose group were increased significantly. CONCLUSION: Codonopsis Radix maintained with sulfur fumigation can promote mouse immune function to a certain degree. There was no difference in immune effect between Codonopsis Radix maintained with sulfur fumigation and low-temperature vacuum method during experimental period. However,taking the extract of Codonopsis Radix maintained with sulfur fumigation can exert negative effect on appetite and body weight in mice.