Differentiation of rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurrooa & scrophulariiflora?

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

A colleague seeks help to locate the top international experts on

Picrorhiza research. He needs a way to distinguish the rhizomes of two

closely related Picrorhiza (or Picrorrhiza) species that are

indistinguishable on visual or microscopic examination, and have no

known distinguishing criteria as regards biological activity or

constituents.

 

In spite of spending several hours searching Google and Medline, I

could not help him. Can you help?

 

He wrote:

> The two species are P. kurrooa (often misspelt kuroa) Royale ex Benth

> and P. scrophulariiflora Pennel (synonymous with Neopicrorhiza

> scrophulariiflora). Both species are called Huhuanglian (ºú»ÆÁ¬) in

> Chinese, though the term Xizang Huhuanglian (Î÷²Øºú»ÆÁ¬, Tibetan

> Huhuanglian) is used for the product from Xizang (Tibet).

 

> The product sold as Picrorhiza Rz for medicinal use could be from one

> or other species, or a mixture of both. P. kurrooa, however, is on the

> endangered species list, whereas P. scrophulariiflora is not.

> Therefore, I am looking for a definitive way to differentiate between

> the rhizomes of two related species. Is there a TCM distinction and/or

> a monograph that suggests methods to differentiate these two species?

> Is there any other thing or person that you might suggest to help?

 

Best regards,