title: [Visualization for Traditional Quality Management Techniques--Characterization Method for Spikenard of INUBUSHI SEIYAKU Established in the Edo Period].
abstract: INUBUSHI SEIYAKU, a Japanese pharmaceutical company established in 1807, manufactures KEISHIN-TAN. This is an original drug developed by the company, and consists of 14 exotic natural medicines, spikenard, oriental bezoar, musk, agarwood, etc. It has been used for adjusting the autonomic nervous system and physical conditions. We studied the original methods of the traditional quality management techniques handed down within INUBUSHI SEIYAKU in selecting the appropriate spikenard (Nardostachys chinensis) for medicinal use. Currently, spikenards are mainly used as incense rather than medicine. KEISHIN-TAN is a rare case in that the bulk powder of the spikenards is used for pharmaceutical products in Japan. We examined the morphological characteristics and made an analysis of the component of spikenards selected by traditional methods. The raw material of the spikenards was purchased from the Japanese market, and was classified into two categories-superior, fit for medicinal use and defective, to be discarded-by traditional methods of INUBUSHI SEIYAKU. The methods of the characterization of the spikenard by INUBUSHI SEIYAKU were investigated. As a result, only thick spikenard roots over 2.0 cm in length and approximately 0.5 cm in diameter were found to be used, and the total weight of the superior was only 15% of the raw material. By comparing the weights of hexane extracts and GC-MS analyses, the content of calarene--main sedative compound in spikenards--in the superior material was 2.8 times higher than the raw material and 4.3 times higher than the defective material. The ways to devise how to enhance the pharmacological effects of spikenards may be contained in this method. These results revealed the traditional spikenard selection criteria, and may show the indications of using spikenard or its compounds for medicinal purposes.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Soichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inubushi
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moriwaki
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Setsuya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hashizume
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takemoto
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Tomoe
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.forename: Seiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuda
mesh_terms: D004345:Drug Industry / Q000592:standards*; D007564:Japan; D010946:Plants, Medicinal