Integrating ancient and modern approaches to traditional Chinese medicinal authentication

doi:10.5246/jcps.2020.12.080

Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences ›› 2020, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (12): 908-914.DOI: 10.5246/jcps.2020.12.080

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Integrating ancient and modern approaches to traditional Chinese medicinal authentication

Zhongzhen Zhao¹^,²^,^*(), Hubiao Chen¹, Ping Guo¹, Zhitao Liang¹, Eric Brand¹^,², Lailai Wong¹, Jing Liu¹

1 School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong 999077, China
2 School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China

Received:2020-09-15 Revised:2020-09-26 Accepted:2020-10-18 Online:2020-12-30 Published:2020-12-30
Contact: Zhongzhen Zhao

About author:

Prof. Zhongzhen Zhao, Chair Professor of School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University and Distinguished Professor of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Prof. Zhao also has served as the advisor of Traditional Medicines in the West Pacific Region of World Health Organisation and of the USP Dietary Supplements-Botanicals Expert Committee Member of Chinese Medicines Board, Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong and International Advisory Board, HK Standard of Chinese Materia Medica, Department of Health, HK and Chinese Pharmacopoeia Committee, China. He has been the Research Director of Laboratory of Chinese Medicine, ISKRA Industry Co. LTD, Japan from 1992 to 1999. Prof. Zhao was invited as Visiting Professor in Osher Research Center Harvard Medical School during his Sabbatical Leave (July 2009-January 2010). He was awarded the Medal of Honor by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in 2014.

Abstract

Abstract:

Authentication is a key component of quality control, and the quality of Chinese medicinal materials directly impacts clinical efficacy. Chinese medicinal quality control is an important concern of the wider community, and it is intricately connected to the future and development of Chinese medicine. Macroscopic identification has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine, and it continues to be effective for resolving important issues related to quality control in the modern-day. However, new challenges have emerged for macroscopic identification. For example, new botanical varieties have emerged, with differences in macroscopic features related to cultivated vs. wild materials. Changes in processing methods and cultivation techniques also affect these features. Consequently, continual progress and innovation in Chinese medicinal authentication methods are needed. Macroscopic identification is based on organoleptic assessment, microscopy, and research of ancient texts, such as the Bencao. In addition to collecting information from traditional experience-based differentiation, innovation can take advantage of new technologies that can provide even more detailed, precise information about morphology. In the present review, we summarized inheritance and innovation in the scientific exposition of Chinese medicinal authentication, featuring a review of specialized publications, description of the establishment of a Chinese medicine specimen center and Chinese Medicine digital project, the expansion of authentication technologies, and the formation of a cultural project dedicated to the Compendium of Materia Medica.

Key words: Chinese medicinal authentication, Macro-/microscopic identification, Bencao, Traditional Chinese medicinal cultural promotion

Supporting:

Zhongzhen Zhao, Hubiao Chen, Ping Guo, Zhitao Liang, Eric Brand, Lailai Wong, Jing Liu. Integrating ancient and modern approaches to traditional Chinese medicinal authentication[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2020, 29(12): 908-914.

References 17

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