title: Stability of active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
abstract: Studies on stability of active ingredients are fundamental and critical for the rational development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in view of its modernization and worldwide use. The stability of both active and marker constituents of plants used in TCM is reviewed for the first time. More than 100 papers, mostly written in Chinese, have been reviewed. Studies concerning plant constituents were analyzed according to their chemical classification of active ingredients. In addition, several crude drugs of animal origin are also reported. Stability of active ingredients is summarized during extraction and/or storage of the herbal drug preparations, and under stress conditions (pH, temperature, solvents, light, and humidity) and in the presence of preservatives, antioxidants, and metals.
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yuquan Road, 88, 300193, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Ren
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xiaoliang
authors.forename: Gao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xiumei
authors.forename: Franco Francesco
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Vincieri
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bilia
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D004355:Drug Stability; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D006077:Government Agencies; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000592:standards; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D059808:Polyphenols; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D013729:Terpenes