TY - JOUR
T1 - Microscopic research on a multi-source traditional Chinese medicine, Astragali Radix
AU - Yu, Kun Zi
AU - Liu, Jing
AU - Guo, Bao Lin
AU - ZHAO, Zhongzhen
AU - Hong, Hao
AU - CHEN, Hubiao
AU - Cai, Shao Qing
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2014/4
Y1 - 2014/4
N2 - Astragali Radix is a widely and commonly used Chinese herbal medicine, which is derived from roots of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus and Astragalus membranaceus. To find a quick and reliable method of distinguishing these two species of Astragali Radix and of determining the age of a sample, microscopic characteristics of the two species were compared using light microscopy. The results showed that the microscopic characteristics, such as number of layers of phellem, continuing lignified xylem bundles within spring wood and lignified parenchyma cells in the central part of the xylem could be used for the differentiation of the root of A. membranaceus from the root of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus. Growth rings (annual rings) were found for the first time in the roots of both species, and could determine the age of a sample. For the first time, radial fibers in both species of Astragali Radix and pipette-shaped fibers in A. membranaceus var. mongholicus were found. The structure of "rotten heart" cork tissue (decayed central xylem) and tubular cork tissue was carefully studied, and the arranged order of tissues in both "rotten heart" and tubular cork tissues is phelloderm and phellem from outside to inside, which is contrary to that in the periderm.
AB - Astragali Radix is a widely and commonly used Chinese herbal medicine, which is derived from roots of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus and Astragalus membranaceus. To find a quick and reliable method of distinguishing these two species of Astragali Radix and of determining the age of a sample, microscopic characteristics of the two species were compared using light microscopy. The results showed that the microscopic characteristics, such as number of layers of phellem, continuing lignified xylem bundles within spring wood and lignified parenchyma cells in the central part of the xylem could be used for the differentiation of the root of A. membranaceus from the root of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus. Growth rings (annual rings) were found for the first time in the roots of both species, and could determine the age of a sample. For the first time, radial fibers in both species of Astragali Radix and pipette-shaped fibers in A. membranaceus var. mongholicus were found. The structure of "rotten heart" cork tissue (decayed central xylem) and tubular cork tissue was carefully studied, and the arranged order of tissues in both "rotten heart" and tubular cork tissues is phelloderm and phellem from outside to inside, which is contrary to that in the periderm.
KW - Astragali Radix
KW - Astragalus membranaceus
KW - Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus
KW - Microscopic characteristics
KW - Pipette-shaped fiber
KW - Radial fiber
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84896348796&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11418-013-0802-z
DO - 10.1007/s11418-013-0802-z
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 24085529
AN - SCOPUS:84896348796
SN - 1340-3443
VL - 68
SP - 340
EP - 350
JO - Journal of Natural Medicines
JF - Journal of Natural Medicines
IS - 2
ER -