The quality of Chinese medicine is the foundation of the clinical effects and industrial development. Component analysis ensures the consistency and stability of medicinals, but fails to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Bioassay is an analytical method to evaluate the effect of a substance on living organisms, tissues, or cells, which is an optimal option for assessing the quality of Chinese medicine. Bioassay of Chinese medicine starts early but progresses slowly. At the moment, it has attracted the interest of scholars. However, no systematic research is available. This study aims to summarize the research on the application of bioassay in quality evaluation of Chinese medicine, focusing on the application of key techniques and experimental systems in bioassay in heat-clearing and blood-activating and stasis-eliminating Chinese medicine and the common problems. Meanwhile, suggestions were proposed in terms of the association with clinical efficacy and chemical analysis and the status quo of biological assay. This study is expected to promote the study and application of bioassay.
Keywords: bioassay; effect of Chinese medicine; quality evaluation of Chinese medicine.