title: Cardiocrinum seeds as a replacement for Aristolochia fruits in treating cough.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, NT, Shatin, Hong Kong, PR China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ka-Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Pang-Chui
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Natascha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Techen
authors.forename: Lkhlas A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Yuan-Shiun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Paul Pui-Hay
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: But
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000996:Antitussive Agents; D018744:DNA, Plant; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019343:Citric Acid