Cardiocrinum seeds as a replacement for Aristolochia fruits in treating cough.
OBJECTIVE
The antitussive Chinese herb Madouling derived from Aristolochia species is banned due to aristolochic acid-induced nephropathy. A substitute is found dispensed as Madouling in Taiwan. This study aims to determine the source plant and verify the antitussive properties of the Madouling substitute used in Taiwan.


METHODS
Forensically informative nucleotide sequencing (FINS) approach based on the trnL-trnF and psbA-trnH regions was applied to facilitate identification of the genuine species and substitute. The antitussive effect of both genuine Madouling and the substitute were evaluated in guinea pigs.


RESULTS
FINS approach based on the trnL-trnF and psbA-trnH regions readily identified the sample of Madouling in Taiwan to the seeds of Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense. Ethanol extracts of the substitute showed significant antitussive properties in guinea pigs.


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiocrinum seeds may have potential as a replacement of Aristolochia fruits.
Li
Ming
M
Department of Biochemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, Shatin, Hong Kong, PR China.
Ling
Ka-Ho
KH
Lam
Hilary
H
Shaw
Pang-Chui
PC
Cheng
Ling
L
Techen
Natascha
N
Khan
Lkhlas A
LA
Chang
Yuan-Shiun
YS
But
Paul Pui-Hay
PP
D000818:Animals; D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D030022:Aristolochia / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D019343:Citric Acid; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005638:Fruit; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D019668:Liliaceae / Q000235:genetics; D027762:Lilium / Q000235:genetics; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D000996:Antitussive Agents; D018744:DNA, Plant; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019343:Citric Acid