[The plant origins of herbal medicines and their quality evaluation]

Yakugaku Zasshi. 2002 Jun;122(6):363-79. doi: 10.1248/yakushi.122.363.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

The caulis (stem and leaf) of Trachelospermum jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem. (Apocynaceae) is listed as the plant origin of Luoshiteng in the Chinese Pharmacopeia. However, preparations from the caulis of Ficus pumila L. (Moraceae) or Psychotria serpens L. (Rubiaceae) are distributed on the Chinese market. The fruit of Forsythia suspensa Vahl (Oleaceae) is listed as the plant origin of Forsythia Fruit in the Chinese Pharmacopeia, although the fruits of two Forsythia species, F. suspensa and F. viridissima Lindley, are listed as the plant origins in the Japanese Pharmacopeia, and fruits of three Forsythia species, F. viridissima, F. koreana Nakai, and F. suspensa, are listed in the Korean Pharmacopeia. The whole plant of Plantago asiatica L. (Plantaginaceae) is listed as the plant origin of Plantago Herb in the Japanese Phamacopeia, but the whole plants of two Plantago species, P. asiatica and P. depressa Wild, are listed as the plant origins in the Chinese Pharmacopeia. The leaves of two Plantago species, P. lanceolata L. and P. major L., are distributed as Plantain on the European market. Each of these herbal medicines is reviewed based on the differences in plant origins and their quality evaluation from the viewpoints of the morphological properties, chemical components, and biological activities, respectively.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Carcinogens / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Herbal Medicine*
  • Humans
  • Lignans / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plants, Medicinal* / chemistry
  • Quality Control*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Carcinogens
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Flavonoids
  • Lignans
  • Plant Extracts