Application of fluorescently labeled tracer technique for detection of natural active macromolecules in Chinese medicine.
Active substances in traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) contain not only a variety of small molecules, but also many other macromolecules (TCMMs), such as proteins, peptides and polysaccharides. Active TCMM can achieve good therapeutic effects by regulating the body's overall function with lower side effects. This review summarized the literatures published in recent years on the application of fluorescently labeled tracer technique for detection of natural active macromolecules in TCM. Classified by fluorescent markers, applications of fluorescein, rhodamine, and quantum dots (QDs) in TCMM active tracer are reviewed, and the methods and principles of TCMM fluorescent marker are illustrated. Studies on active TCMMs and their action mechanism are quite difficult due to a multitarget, multicomponent, and multipath system of TCM. However, the development of fluorescently labeled active tracer technique (FLATT) provides this research with new tools. Traditional fluorescent markers have many deficiencies, such as easily quenched, short luminous cycle, and intrinsic toxicity. Relatively, FLATT has many obvious advantages, and its application in TCMM is still at the early stage. In order to improve the overall level of fluorescence labeling in TCMM active tracer, the improvement on FLATT's detection sensitivity and biological affinity is urgent and critical to allow study of these interesting molecules.
College of Food and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology , Guangzhou , China.
Qiao-Hui
QH
Zeng
Xue-Wu
XW
Zhang
Kai-Peng
KP
Xu
Jian-Guo
JG
Jiang
D000818:Animals; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000378:metabolism; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000378:metabolism; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
D012235:Rhodamines; D019793:Fluorescein