title: Identification of nanofibers in the Chinese herbal medicine: Yunnan Baiyao.
abstract: Yunnan Baiyao is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been used to treat wounds for over 100 years. Here, we use Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to determine nano-scale structures of the Yunnan Baiyao. AFM images revealed uniform nanofibers present in relatively high abundance in a solution of this medicine. Fibers were typically 25.1 nm in diameter and ranged in length from 86-726 nm due to processing. Due to the unique adhesive and structural properties of nanofibers, we concluded that these fibers may play a role in platelet aggregation, leading to clotting, and the sealing of wounds.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee, 1206 Dougherty Hall, 1512 Middle Dr, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Scott C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lenaghan
authors.forename: Lijin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Mingjun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C530960:yunnan baiyao