Identification and Quality Control of Cassiae Semen and Related Misused Species

• Main Authors: Ya-Ling Lee, 李雅玲
• Other Authors: Yuan-Shiun Chang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/v4b3t9

碩士 === 中國醫藥大學 === 中國藥學暨中藥資源學系碩士班 === 102 === Cassiae Semen is the dried ripe seed of Cassia obtusifolia L. or Cassia tora L. Cassiae Occidentalis Semen is the seed of Cassia occidentalis L. and Cassiae Sophera Semen is Cassia sophera L.. These herbs have clinical efficacy of clearing heat, brighten the eyes, moistening the intestines, free the stool and splenic fortification. However, mixture of these three herbs were abused in Taiwanese herbal market severely according to researches and surveys. This study aimed to investigate the differences between Cassiae Semen, Cassiae Occidentalis Semen, and Cassiae Sphera Semen to ensure their clinical safety and efficacy. Furthermore, to support this research, three assessment methods were used in the study. Quality control evaluations consist of morphological features, microscopic identification, thin-layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Biological activities assessments include DPPH free radical scavenging activity, total polyphenol, total flavonoid contents and determination of reducing power. Safety assessment includes inspections of aflatoxins, and organochlorine pesticide residue tests. The Cassiae Occidentalis Semen is round-flattened in shape, Cassiae Sophera Semen is round-flattened with prominent and Cassiae Semen is rhomboidal in sape. For the microscopic identifications and powder analysis of three herbal drugs, only Cassiae Semen contains calcium oxalate crystals. In thin-layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography analysis, autrantio-obtusin, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion were detected in Cassiaee Semen. In Cassiae Occidentalis Semen and Cassiae Sophera Semen, only physcion and relative less amount of emodin were detected. In addition, Cassiae Semen exhibited best anti-oxidative activites where Cassiae Occidentalis Semen exhibited least anti-oxidative activites among three species. With regards to safety tests, 2 batches out of 5 batches of Cassiae Occidentalis Semen were found to have aflatoxins. Five batches of Cassia obtusifolia L. and Cassia tora L.each, and 2 batches of Cassiae Occidentalis all found to have pesticide residue. However, the residue fall within the limit of Taiwan Herbal Pharmacopeia pesticide residue analysis. In conclusion, the result of this study can provide the references for the authentication and quality control of Cassiae Semen, Cassiae Occidentalis Semen, and Cassiae Sophera Semen.