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.

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.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods

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".
Documentation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; classification ; history ; History, 15th Century ; History, 16th Century ; History, 20th Century ; History, Ancient ; History, Medieval ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history

Achyranthes bidentata and Achyranthes aspera are saponin and steroid rich medicinal plants, used extensively for therapeutic treatments in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda. A. bidentata is reported to be one of the rare and extensively exploited medicinal plant species that face the issue of being endangered. Finding qualitative substitute with identical phyto-constituents contributing to similar composition and pharmacological benefits wil help in reducing the burden of exploitation of the natural habitats of such plants. In the present study, a comparative metabolite analysis of the whole drug and specific tissues isolated by laser micro-dissection (LMD) was carried out for both the selected species, by use of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF MS). The results of the study indicate that the cortex and the medullary ray tissues are rich in their content of steroidal and saponin con-stituents such as (25S)-inokosterone-20,22-acetonide, ginsenoside Ro, bidentatoside II and achyranthoside B. Metabolite profiling of the whole tissues of both the species indicates presence of identical constituents. Thus, it is inferred that A. bidentata and A. aspera can be used as qualitative substitutes for each other.

OBJECTIVETo provide a rapid, simple, accurate and reproducible identification method from which Cordyceps sinensis can be distinguished from other species.

METHODTo observe the larva and stroma of Cordyceps family with macroscopic identification method, and with powder microscopic identification method.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONFor 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.

OBJECTIVETo make microscopic identification research of three Echinacea-species roots recorded in the United States Pharmacopeia.

METHODThe root transverse section and powder of E. angustifolia, E. pallida, and E. purpurea were observed. The main microscopic features were photographed.

RESULTThe 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.

OBJECTIVETo 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.

METHODThis comparative study focus on shapes and properties, microscopic features of transverse section and powder of roots, qualitative evaluation of wild and cultivated Astragali Radix.

RESULTWild 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.

CONCLUSIONThere 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.

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.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; economics ; standards ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Marketing ; Pharmacognosy ; methods

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.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Coumaric Acids ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; Quality Control

BACKGROUNDGefitinib, a selective inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase, has been approved effective in local advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with the equivalent response rate to that of chemotherapy in Asian patients. Asian ethnicity, gender, smoking history, adenocarcinoma histology were remarkably associated with gefitinib response and survival. However, predictive factors of gefitinib response and survival are still unclear in Asian population. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the data of 153 Chinese NSCLC patients who received a single agent of gefitinib with the purpose of identifying the potential predictive factors of gefitinib response and survival.

METHODSTumor response, survival and the clinicopathologic factors of 153 NSCLC patients treated between November of 2003 and June of 2004 were collected retrospectively from the multicenter clinical trial in China. Pearson Chi-square test and Logistic regression test were performed respectively as univariate and multivariate analyses of gefitinib response. Overall survivals between groups with different predictive factors were compared by log-rank tests. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors that independently predict for survival.

RESULTSA total of 153 patients were included in this analysis. Objective response rate was statistically significant higher in patients with younger age (≤65 years) and longer interval from diagnosis to gefitinib treatment (≥6 months) in multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). The median follow-up duration was 10.0 months (0.5-16.8). The median survival was 10.3 months (95% CI: 8.1-12.6) and 1-year survival was 44.1%. Significant independent predictive factors associated with longer survival in multivariate analysis were good performance status (score 0-1), controlled disease (CR+PR+SD) to most recent chemotherapy and controlled disease to gefitinib (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSGefitinib is effective in local advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients who failed to chemotherapy in Chinese population. In Chinese NSCLC population, younger age (≤65 years) and longer interval from diagnosis to gefitinib treatment (≥6 months) were predictive factors in multivariate analysis for gefitinib response; good performance status (score 0-1), controlled disease to most recent chemotherapy and controlled disease to gefitinib were independent prognostic factors for survival.