[Authentication of traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHM) by fingerprints of characteristic general constituents].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the theory, scientific significance, distinguishing features and authentication feasibility of TCHMs by spectral fingerprints of characteristic general constituents.


METHODS
Previous relevant investigations and literatures were summed up in the field, and the present situation on the authentication of TCHMs at home and abroad was analysed.


RESULTS
The characteristic general constituents of TCHMs can be obtained by an appropriate procedure. Their compositions and structures can be determined by spectral fingerprints, especially the 1HNMR fingerprint. The species of TCHMs can be identified accurately by these fingerprints. Besides, the quality of TCHMs can be evaluated by the contents of their GCEs.


CONCLUSIONS
Fingerprint authentication of characteristic general constituents of TCHMs has profound significance for the species identification and quality evaluation of TCHMs.
Qin
H L
HL
Department of Pharmacognosy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210038, Jiangsu, China.
Wang
Z T
ZT
Xu
L S
LS
Zhao
T Z
TZ
D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal