Herbal Textual Research on Tribuli Fructus and Astragali Complanati Semen in Famous Classical Formulas
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20250669
- VernacularTitle:经典名方中蒺藜类药材的本草考证
- Author:
Jiaqin MOU
1
;
Wenjing LI
1
;
Yanzhu MA
1
;
Yue ZHOU
1
;
Wenfeng YAN
1
;
Shijun YANG
1
;
Ling JIN
1
;
Jing SHAO
1
;
Zhijia CUI
1
;
Zhilai ZHAN
2
Author Information
1. College of Pharmacy，Northwest Collaborative Innovation Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Co-constructed by Gansu ProvinceMinistry of Education，Gansu University of Chinese Medicine， Lanzhou 730000，China
2. State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs，National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences，Beijing 100700，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
famous classical formulas;
Tribuli Fructus;
Astragali Complanati Semen;
origin;
herbal textual research;
producing area;
processing method
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(22):241-251
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
By systematically combing ancient and modern literature， this paper examined Tribuli Fructus and Astragali Complanati Semen（ACS） used in the famous classical formulas from the aspects of name， origin， production area， harvesting and processing， clinical efficacy， so as to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing such medicinal materials. The results showed that the names of Tribuli Fructus in the past dynasties were mostly derived from its morphology， and there were nicknames such as Baijili， Cijili and Dujili. The name of ACS in the past dynasties were mostly originated from its production areas， and there were nicknames such as Baijili， Shayuan Jili and Tongjili. Because both of them had the name of Baijili， confusion began to appear in the Song dynasty. In ancient and modern times， the main origin of Tribuli Fructus were Tribulus terrestris， and ancient literature recorded the genuine producing areas of Tribuli Fructus was Dali in Shaanxi and Tianshui in Gansu， but today it is mainly cultivated in Anhui and Shandong. The fruit is the medicinal part， harvested in autumn throughout history. There is no description of the quality of Tribuli Fructus in ancient times， and the plump， firm texture， grayish-white color is the best in modern times. Traditional processing methods for Tribuli Fructus included stir-frying and wine processing， while modern commonly used is purified， fried and salt-processed. The ancient records of Tribuli Fructus were spicy， bitter， and warm in nature， with modern research adding that it is slightly toxic. The main effects of ancient and modern times include treating wind disorders， improving vision， promoting muscle growth， and treating vitiligo. The mainstream base of ACS used throughout history is Astragalus complanatus. Ancient texts indicated ACS primarily originated from Shaanxi province. Today， the finest varieties come from Tongguan and Dali in Shaanxi. The medicinal part is the seed， traditionally harvested in autumn. Modern harvesting occurs in late autumn or early winter， followed by sun-drying. Ancient texts valued seeds with a fragrant aroma as superior， while modern standards prioritize plump， uniform and free of impurities. Traditional processing methods for ACS included frying until blackened and wine-frying， while modern practice commonly employs purification methods. In terms of medicinal properties， the ancient and modern records are sweet and warm in nature. Due to originally classified under Tribuli Fructus， its effects were thus regarded as equivalent to those of Tribuli Fructus， serving as the medicine for treating wind disorders， additional functions included tonifying the kidneys and treating vitiligo. The present record of its efficacy is to tonify the kidney and promote Yang， solidify sperm and reduce urine， nourish the liver and brighten the eye， etc. Based on the textual research results， it is suggested that when developing the famous classical formulas of Tribuli Fructus medicinal materials， we should pay attention to the specific reference object of Baijili， T. terrestris and A. complanatus should be identified and selected， and the processing method should be in accordance with the requirements of the formulas.
