title: [Authentication of traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHM) by fingerprints of characteristic general constituents].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210038, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Z T
authors.initials: ZT
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: T Z
authors.initials: TZ
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal