Planta Med 2012; 78 - P_69
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1307577

Development of a Database and Authentication Methods for Toxic and Scheduled Chinese Herbs

GQ Li 1, EJY Kim 1, JQ Huang 1, Y Chen 1, KM Li 2, V Razmovski-Naumovski 1, 3, J Poon 4, K Chan 1, 3, B Roufogalis 1, A McLachlan 1
  • 1Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
  • 2Discipline of Pharmacology, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
  • 3Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, University of Western Sydney, NSW 2560, Australia
  • 4School of Information Technology, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

In Australia, toxic herbal medicines are regulated by The Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP) [1]. The classification of some toxic herbs in SUSMP is controversial to Chinese medicine professionals because the current classification limits the use of some of Chinese herbs with significant therapeutic value and the Victoria Chinese Medicine Registration Board has requested revision of the scheduling [2]. This project aims to build a database and develop a rapid chromatographic fingerprint method for the regulation and authentication of scheduled and toxic Chinese herbs. Filemaker Pro software was used to create an online database system. English and Chinese literature was reviewed to evaluate the toxicity of scheduled and toxic Chinese herbs. Authenticated herbal samples were collected to build a depository of scheduled and toxic Chinese herbs in Australia. A prototype of the online database has been developed (Figure 1), containing 74 monographs of the scheduled and toxic Chinese herbs, including Aristolochia, Aconite, Asarum, Ephedra and Coltsfoot. A new toxicity classification proposed was based on risk-benefit analysis, therapeutic index, the severity of toxic effects, and preclinical data. A simplified and rapid TLC method was also developed to determine the aristolochic acids in Fructus Aristolochiae (Figure 2). This work has established a preliminary platform for the quality, safety and regulation of toxic Chinese herbs in Australia, and will support the regulation of Chinese medicine practitioners in Australia and internationally.

Fig.1: Homepage of the Toxic Chinese Herbal Medicines Database

Fig.2: TLC fingerprint of Fructus Aristolochiae, detected under UV 254 & 366nm. 1. Ethanol extract. 2. Methanol extract. 3. Acetone extract. 4. Aristolochic acid mixture. 5. Aristolochic acid A. Mobile phase, toluene, acetone, formic acid (6.22: 2.4: 0.22). Color reagent: 10% H2SO4 in Water.

Acknowledgements: This project is supported by the University of Sydney China Studies Centre. References: [1] Department of Health and Ageing Therapeutic Goods Administration, Poisons Standard 2011. Available at http://www.tga.gov.au/industry/scheduling-poisons-standard.htm, accessed on 15 Dec 2011. [2] Submission to the Victorian Minister – Scheduling of Chinese Herbs. Available at http://www.cmrb.vic.gov.au/information/schedherbs.html, accessed on 15 Dec 2011.