[Grade evaluation of Gardeniae Fructus based on quality constant method]

Area of Science:

• Pharmacognosy
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Quality Control
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Chinese medicinal materials require robust quality evaluation methods.
• The quality constant method integrates morphological and content indices for grading.
• Gardeniae Fructus is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a grade evaluation method for Gardeniae Fructus using the quality constant.
• To determine the relationship between the quality grade and the pharmacodynamic effects of Gardeniae Fructus.

Main Methods:

• Collected 14 batches of Gardeniae Fructus samples.
• Measured morphological and content indexes to establish a quality constant calculation method.
• Assessed the nitric oxide (NO) inhibition effect on RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Main Results:

• The quality constants for Gardeniae Fructus samples ranged from 1.46 to 4.42.
• Established grade criteria: first-class (≥3.54), second-class (2.21-3.54), and third-class (<2.21).
• Pharmacodynamic intensity, measured by NO inhibition, was positively correlated with the established quality grades.

Conclusions:

• The quality constant method provides a rational approach for grading Gardeniae Fructus.
• Higher quality grades of Gardeniae Fructus exhibit enhanced pharmacodynamic activity.
• This method ensures better quality control and efficacy of Chinese medicinal decoction pieces.