Study On Quality Evaluation Of Different Grade Of Decoction Pieces Of Chuanxiong Rhizoma

Chuanxiong Rhizoma contained in the "Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica", is famous bulk herbs for its place of production of authentic producing areas Sichuan, from Umbelliferae Chuanxiong Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. Dried rhizomes. Chuanxiong Rhizoma is characterized by warm property and pungent taste which meridian tropism includes liver, gallbladder and pericardium. Its main function is activating blood and promoting qi, expelling wind and relieve pain. It is known as "qi medicine in the blood" by the previous. Currently, most of Chuanxiong Rhizoma is saled and traded in the form of parcel of mixed goods on the market, the decoction pieces of Chuanxiong have a variety of specifications and lack of scientific basis. In this paper, I will combine the traditional classification method of Chuanxiong Rhizoma and modern analytical techniques, intend to establish a simple and objective quality specifications evaluation method of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces, to realize the various types of Chinese Herbal Medicine standardized of specification and grading standards lays the foundation.ObjectiveThis subject is a part of Chuanxiong Rhizoma of the State Administration of traditional Chinese medicine scientific research that30kinds of Chinese Herbal Medicine specifications and standards of quality evaluation (Number:201007012-3-3). Through the investigation of the production and circulation of the decoction piece of Chuanxiong Rhizoma on the market, based on Chuanxiong Rhizoma traditional classification methods and combined with modern scientific methods research on grades and specifications and standards of quality evaluation of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces. Establish and improve the product specifications and standards of quality evaluation of different grades of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces to provide the technical support for formulating of relevant management measures.MethodsSix batches experimental Chuanxiong Rhizoma medicinal herbs was collected from authentic producing areas, three batches come from non-authentic producing areas,and fourteen batches are from pharmaceutical production decoction pieces.Then nine batches medicinal herbs were processed into decoction pieces. Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces is divided into two classes according to the traditional classification methods, such as:color, flavour and decoction pieces diameter, etc. Identify relevant indicators of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces grading which combined with modern scientific evaluation, such as:TLC identification, moisture, extract, essential oils, effective component (ferulic acid, ligustilide) determination and HPLC fingerprints. And finally, combination of statistical methods of cluster analysis establish each grade quality evaluation standard of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces.ResultsExperimental results show that moisture content of each grade Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces is between5.87%to9.87%which is less than12%, in line with Pharmacopoeia requirement, no significant correlation with the classification of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction peces. Total ash content of each grade Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces rang from4.32%to5.77%which is less than6%, in line with Pharmacopoeia requirement, no significant correlation with the classification of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces. Acid insoluble ash content of each grade Chuanxiong Rhizoma pieces rang from1.34%to1.94%which is less than2%, in line with Pharmacopoeia requirement, no significant correlation with the classification of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces. The95%ethanol extract content of each grade Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces rang from15.41%to33.86%which is more than12%, in line with Pharmacopoeia requirement, proportional relationship with the grade of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces. The essential oils content of each grade Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces rang from0.13%to0.77%which has proportional relationship with the grade of Chuanxiong Rhizoma pieces. The ferulic content of each grade Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces rang from0.10%to0.26%which is more than0.1%, in line with Pharmacopoeia requirement, proportional relationship with the grade of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces. The ligustilide content of each grade Chuanxiong Rhizoma pieces rang from0.30%to 3.17%which has proportional relationship with the grade of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces.Suggested that the decoction pieces of Chuanxiong Rhizoma is divided into two grades:first-class Chuanxiong Rhizoma pieces, decoction pieces diameter must be more than4mm, impurity content must be less than1%, ethanol extract content must be more than25%, essential oils content must be more than0.5%, ferulic content must be more than0.22%, ligustilide content must be more than2.5%; decoction pieces of parcel of mixed goods, decoction pieces diameter is unlimited, impurity content must be less than5%, ethanol extract content must be more than12%, essential oils content must be more than0.1%, ferulic content must be more than0.1%, ligustilide content must be more than1%.ConclusionThe subject researches on the quality standard of the different grades of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces preliminary and make product specifications grading method and quality evaluation standards of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces to provide scientific basis for the specification market of the decoction pieces of Chuanxiong Rhizoma and higher prices for better quality of Chinese Herbal decoction pieces and provide the theoretical reference for clinical use of drugs rationally.