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Planta Med 2006; 72(10): 865-874
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-947209
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Authentication is Fundamental for Standardization of Chinese Medicines

Zhongzhen Zhao1 , Yani Hu1 , Zhitao Liang1 , Jessie Pui-Sai Yuen2 , Zhihong Jiang1 , Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung1
  • 1School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, P. R. China.
  • 2Bank of China (Hong Kong) Chinese Medicines Centre, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, P. R. China
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Publication History

Received: April 23, 2006

Accepted: June 1, 2006

Publication Date:
10 August 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Chinese medicines (CMs) are being used more and more widely throughout the world. Since there are many poisoning incidents caused by misuse or confusion of CMs, their safe use has become a critical issue internationally. In this paper, based on the investigation of the current market of CMs, reasons for various confusions of Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) are analyzed and clarified, such as herbs with multiple sources, regional custom-herbs, confusion in nomenclature, similarity in appearance, and complexity of processed products. Authentication of plant material is critical to the safe and effective use of CMM. In this paper, several authentication methods, such as taxonomy, morphology, microscopy, physical and chemical authentication, DNA molecular biology and their advanced applications in this area, are introduced. Furthermore, it is proposed that an authority on the authentication of CMM be established, as a physical institution and/or as an electronic database.

Key words

Authentication - identification - Chinese medicines - herbal medicines - standardization

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