Herbal Resources and Quality

As more and more people worldwide are using Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs), their resources and quality have raised international concern. Herbal medicines are not only used in Asia, but also in many Western countries such as Europe and Australia. The supply of CHMs has evolved from wild to mainly cultivation-oriented. In order to ensure sufficient supply and reliable quality, it is very important to carry out Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) of medicinal plants. Due to shortage of resources in China, it is necessary to explore production of medicinal plants in other countries. Advantages: Produce high-quality raw materials; Exchange of resources; Explore new medicinal plant species. Authentication and standardization of CHMs is needed [1]. CHMs differ from both chemical drugs and Western herbs. The multiple sources and unique processing methods are characteristic features of CHMs. While these features give CHMs unique and advantageous properties, they also generate confusion. Authentication of a CHM includes both identifying its botanical origin and evaluating its pharmaceutical quality. In this talk, the important parameters for quality assurance are discussed[2]. Quality control methods such as the examination of taxonomic, morphological and/or microscopic characters, fingerprint chromatography, DNA molecular marker are described and compared. Finally, modernization of Chinese medicine information “Contemporary Medicinal Plant” is introduced. References: [1] Zhao ZZ, et al. (2006) Planta Medica. 72: 865–874. [2] Zhao ZZ, et al. (2007) Journal of Food and Drug Analysis 15: 1–10.