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Planta Med 2009; 75(6): 602-606
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1185361
Pharmacology
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Can Rhizoma Chuanxiong Replace Radix Angelica Sinensis in the Traditional Chinese Herbal Decoction Danggui Buxue Tang?

Winnie Z. M. Li1 , Jun Li1 , Cathy W. C. Bi1 , Anna W. H. Cheung1 , Wen Huang1 , Ran Duan1 , Roy C. Y. Choi1 , Ivy S. Y. Chen1 , Kui J. Zhao1 , 2 , Tina T. X. Dong1 , Jin A. Duan3 , Karl W. K. Tsim1
  • 1Department of Biology and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, P. R. China
  • 2Beijing Friendship Hospital, Affiliate of Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
  • 3Jiangsu Key Laboratory for TCM Formulae Research (LTCMF), Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, P. R. China
Further Information

Publication History

received Sept. 16, 2008 revised Dec. 10, 2008

accepted Dec. 18, 2008

Publication Date:
09 February 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Herein, we test the hypothesis that a member of a formulated Chinese herbal decoction cannot be replaced by another herb. Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is being used as an example for illustration: this is a traditional decoction containing Radix Astragali (RA) and Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RAS) in a weight ratio of 5 to 1. Rhizoma Chuanxiong (RC) and RAS are two chemically very similar herbs but with a distinct function. Following the preparation method of DBT, a herbal decoction, namely Chuanxiong Buxue Tang (CBT), was created, which contained RA and RC in a weight ratio of 5 to 1. The two decoctions, DBT and CBT, were compared in parallel regarding their chemical and biological properties. In all the tested parameters, DBT showed superior properties, both chemically and biologically, to that of CBT. The current results reveal the uniqueness of Chinese herbal decoctions that require a well-defined formulation, which is indispensable for its specific composition.

Key words

Angelica sinensis - Ligusticum chuanxiong - Umbelliferae - Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus - Leguminosae

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Prof. Dr. Karl W. K. Tsim

Department of Biology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Clear Water Bay Road

Hong Kong

People's Republic of China

Phone: + 85 2 23 58 73 32

Fax: + 85 2 23 58 15 59

Email: botsim@ust.hk