Animal medicine is a unique part of traditional Chinese medicine. They have strong effects, but their effective compounds are not entirely known. The efficiency and safety of animal medicines can't be effectively controlled by current quality assurance system and evaluation method, which has deeply influenced the development of animal medicines. Biological assay does not focus on efficacy of single component, but directly reflects the pharmacodynamics and safety of animal medicines by biological effect. With the development of biotechnology, many new technologies have emerged, such as biochip and high content analysis. Based on the related targets, pathways and key biochemical factors, the field of biological assay has been expanded. With advantages of pharmacology andoverall controllability, as well as the characteristics of in line with the quality control of Chinese Medicine, biological assay will become one of the important development directionsfor quality standardization of animal medicines.
Keywords: animal medicine; biological assay; quality control; traditional Chinese medicine.
Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.