an exemplifying systematic approach to revealing the complexity of Chinese herbal medicine formulae

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http://www.cmjournal.org/content/2/1/12

Verification of the formulation and efficacy of Danggui Buxue Tang (a

decoction of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis): an exemplifying

systematic approach to revealing the complexity of Chinese herbal medicine

formulae

Qiutao Gao , Jun Li , Jerry Ka Hei Cheung , Jinao Duan , Anwei Ding , Anna

Wing Han Cheung , Kuijun Zhao , Winie Zhuoming Li , Tina Tingxia Dong and

Karl Wah Keung Tsim

 

 

2007, 2:12doi:10.1186/1749-8546-2-12

 

Published:29 November 2007

 

Abstract (provisional)

This article exemplifies a systematic approach to revealing the complexity

of Chinese herbal medicine formulae through three levels of scientific

research: standardization of herbs, verification of ancient formulae and

mechanism studies. We use Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) as an example for this

approach. Among thousands of traditional Chinese medicine herbal formulae,

almost all of which consist of multiple herbs, DBT is one of the simplest.

Containing only two herbs, namely Radix Astragali (RA) and Radix Angelicae

Sinensis (RAS), DBT is traditionally used to treat ailments in women. The

weight ratio of RA to RAS in DBT was prescribed to be 5:1 as early as in

1247 AD. In addition to advanced chemical analysis of herbal constituents,

DNA genotyping techniques have been developed for reliable standardization

of RA and RAS. Chemical evaluation shows that main active constituents in

DBT, including astragaloside IV, calycosin, formononetin and ferulic acid,

were most abundant after extraction at the RA to RAS ratio of 5:1, whereas

other tested RA to RAS ratios only gave sub-optimal levels of the active

constituents. Biological evaluation indicates that bioactivities of DBT, e.g

immuno-modulatory, oesteotropic and estrogenic effects are also best

exerted at the RA to RAS ratio of 5:1. Correlation analysis demonstrates

statistically significant relationship between the tested chemical

constituents and tested bioactivities. Up- and down-regulation of expression

of some genes as potential biomarkers has been detected by using gene chip

technology. This systematic approach on the basis of herbal standardization,

chemical and biological verification and mechanism studies, as exemplified

in this article, will be useful to reveal the complexity of not only DBT but

also other Chinese medicine herbal formulae.

 

Acupunctuurpraktijk Tom Verhaeghe

Stationsplein 59

B-8770 Ingelmunster

051 699 005

tom.verhaeghe

www.chinese-geneeskunde.be