Authentication of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma and Other TwoChinese Materia Medica of the Liliaceae Family byPharmacognosy Technique With GC–MS AnalysisYINGJIAO LIU,1 CANHUANG LIU,2 YAFEI YU,1 BEI XU,1 LIMIN GONG,1 XIAOYAN ZENG,1 LAN XIAO,1

QILAI CHENG,1 AND TASI LIU1*1School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, People’s Republic of China2Institute for Drug and Food Control of Loudi, Loudi 417000, Hunan, People’s Republic of China

KEY WORDS Chinese Materia Medica; authentication; macroscopic; microscopic; PolygonatiOdorati Rhizoma; Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma; Disporopsis FuscopictaeRhizoma; GC; MS analysis

ABSTRACT Yuzhu (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma), Kangdingyuzhu (Polygonati Prattii Rhi-zoma), and zhugenqiyuzhu (Disporopsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma) are of the same family, but of dif-ferent genera. They have all often used in Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) as Polygonati OdoratiRhizoma in China market. Three species of CMM are confused. For better application, we needto identify these plants accurately. This study use pharmacognosy technique and GC-MSanalysis, three species of CMM were authenticated. In macroscopic characteristics, the fruit ofPolygonati Odorati Rhizoma is blue-black, while the other two are maroon and dark purpleorderly. Nodes of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma are upward and light uplift, about 1 cm spacing,while the other are not. As for microscopic characteristics, the cortex of Polygonati Odorati Rhi-zoma only occupies about 1/5 of the radius of the transverse section with inconspicuous endoder-mis, which is much smaller than others. The type of vascular bundles of Polygonati OdoratiRhizoma is closed collateral, but the other is amphivasal. Raphides of calcium oxalate are scat-tered, but Raphides of the other two are like brooms and neat rows. GC–MS analysis of essentialoil could provide different characteristics to distinguish three species. Twenty-three compoundswere identified from essential oil of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma and the main components weren-hexadecanoic acid (49.45%), while n-hexadecanoic acid of the other two are 23.92% and 9.45%.The content of n-hexadecanoic is strongly different. This research was aimed to establish amethod by pharmacognosy and GC–MS analysis to identify three CMM and for providingscientifical data to ensure accuracy of origin of three species. Microsc. Res. Tech. 00:000–000,2014. VC 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

INTRODUCTION

Now more and more people are interested in Chinesemedicine to treat disease, as they think Chinese Mate-ria Medica (CMM) have low side effect, high safety intreatment. However, the misuse of CMM has becomemore and more common in recent years. CMM from asame family has similar morphology in appearance. Soit is usually very difficult to identify them in market.The species of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma is complexedin China market, including from Polygonatum genus orDisporopsis genus in Liliaceae (Delectis Florae Reipul-blicae Popularis Sinicae Agendae Academia SinicaeEdita, 1982). Three species of CMM are commonly con-fused, Yuzhu (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma); Kangdin-gyuzhu (Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma); andZhugenqiyuzhu (Disporopsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma). AsPolygonati Odorati Rhizoma is more expensive thanother two species, some merchants mix low-price CMMinto Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma in China market.

Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma was recorded in“Chinese Pharmacopoeia” (2010 version). It has a wide

distribution in China, cultivated and main grown inXinshao, Shaodong, Qiyang in Hunan province, and ithas been taken as authentic ingredients.

Yuzhu is the dried rhizome of Polygonatum odora-tum (Mill.) Druce, which belongs to the Polygonatum(Liliaceae) genus, passing under the name of Weishen,“Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing” think it is top grade withmedical and edible functions (Liu et al., 2008). Theproperties of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma ascribed tosweet with slight bitter after taste, nontoxic, warming,nourishing the vital essence, lubricating dryness, stop-ping thirst, enhancing wisdom, improving circulation,and producing good complexion, with the lungs,

*Correspondence to: Tasi Liu, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chi-nese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China. E-mail: liutasi@126.com

Received 29 May 2014; accepted in revised form 17 October 2014REVIEW EDITOR: Prof. Alberto Diaspro

Contract grant sponsor: National Key Technology Support Program; Contractgrant number: 2011BAI01B09.

DOI 10.1002/jemt.22453Published online 00 Month 2014 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).

VVC 2014 WILEY PERIODICALS, INC.

MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE 00:00–00 (2014)

kidney, stomach, and spleen being its target organs(China Pharmacopoeia Committee, 2010). Therefore,there is growing demand for Polygonati Odorati Rhi-zoma in markets in recent years.

Kangdingyuzhu is the dried rhizome of Polygonatumprattii Baker, which belongs to the Polygonatum (Lil-iaceae) genus, passing under the name of Polygonatumhumile and recorded in the Standards of ChineseMedicine of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou Province.Polygonatum prattii Baker flavor is sweet, sexual flat,nourishing the vital essence, lubricating dryness, stop-ping thirst, and applied to wind-heat cold, whichcauses fever, coughing, pharyngodynia, and thirst, andso forth (Wang et al., 1993).

Zhugenqiyuzhu is the dried rhizome of Disporopsisfuscopicta Hance, which belongs to the Disporopsis(Liliaceae) genus, it was recorded in the Standards ofChinese Medicine of Guizhou Province in 2003 version.Flavor is sweet, sexual flat, nourishing the vitalessence, lubricating dryness, dispelling wind and elim-inating dampness, heat-clearing and detoxifying, andapplied to the weak after childbearing and the arthral-gic due to wind and dampness, and so forth (Xiao,2001).

Previous studies mainly focused on the essential oilof Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma (Zhang et al., 2008),but distinguishing Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma, Polyg-onati Prattii Rhizoma, and Disporopsis FuscopictaeRhizoma are relatively few. This research first focusedon differentiating Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma andother two species from morphological and microscopi-cal characteristics assisted by GC–MS analysis. In thisstudy, morphologic and microscopic technique combi-nating GC–MS analysis, a new method could be estab-lished to distinguish Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma andother two species, which provide a theoretical basis forthe further research, standardization planting, medici-nal use, and upgrade of quality standards.

MATERIALS AND METHODSCollection and Identification of Plant Material

Three species of Materia Medica under investigation(namely, Yuzhu [Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma]; Kang-dingyuzhu [Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma], and Zhugen-qiyuzhu [Disporopsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma]) werecollected in October 2013, Table 1 show a sample ofinformation. But three species were authenticated byProfessor Tasi Liu, Teaching and research section ofpharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hunan Univer-sity of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, where a voucherspecimen has been deposited.

Methods

Macroscopic characters were noted and taken usingvisual examination and microscope OLYMPUS SZX12

(Wong et al., 2011, 2012). Microscopic studies weredone by freehand cutting thin section of rhizome withplatinum coated razor blade. The sections were clearedwith 20% chloral hydrate solution and mounted inglycerin and observed under microscope OLYMPUSBX51 (Lin et al., 2011).

Conditions of GC–MS Analyses. GC–MS instru-ment equipped with a Rtx-5ms capillary column(30mm * 0.25mm * 0.25mm). The initial oven tempera-ture was held at 60�C for 1 min, and raised from 60�Cto 240�C at 4�C/min; transfer line temperature wasscanned over 40–450 AMU with an ionizing voltage of70 eV and ionization current 150 mA, the quality ofscanning range is 35–450 (Zhang et al., 2008). Samples(2.0 mL) were automatically injected into the GC–MSand Helium was used as the carrier gas (1.0 mL/min)with split mode (1:10). Most constituents were identi-fied by contrasting their mass spectra from NIST08.

RESULTSOriginal Plant Morphology

Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce.

1. Rhizome: cylindrical, light yellow; 10–35 cm longand 1.5–2.8 cm in diameter; fibrous roots arenumerous and slender;

2. Knob: conspicuous;3. Stem: yellow-green, base usually have a lot dark

purple spots;4. Leaves: elliptic or quadrature circle of egg, no stalk;5. Perianth: tube cylindric, slight yellow-white, lobes

turquoise, and much shorter than tube;6. Stalk: 1–1.5 cm long;7. Fruit: berries, spherical, blue-black when ripe in

July to September (Fig. 1A).

Polygonatum prattii Baker.

1. Rhizome: cylindrical, bright yellow, below 10-cmlong;

2. Knob: inconspicuous;3. Stem: 8–30 mm high, dark green;4. Leaves: alternate 4–15, petiolate, elliptic, or quadra-

ture circle;5. Perianth: slight yellow-white, lobes 6, 1.5–2.5 cm

long and purple-brown inside;6. Stalk: 0.2–0.6-cm long;7. Fruit: berries, maroon when ripe in August to Octo-

ber (Fig. 1B).

Disporopsis fuscopicta Hance.

1. Rhizome: cylindrical, light yellow; over 20-cm longand 0.5–1.5 cm in diameter; fibrous root has a hardproperty, few, and thick;

2. Knob: conspicuous;3. Stem: dark-green and usually have a lot purple

spots. And the further up the plant, the spotsbecome less and less;

4. Leaves: petiolate, lanceolate to nearly ovate;5. Perianth: slight turquoise, tube cylindric, lobes tur-

quoise, and about one-third of tube;6. Stalk: 1–1.5 cm long;7. Fruit: berries, nearly spherical, or slightly com-

pressed, dark purple when ripe in November toDecember (Fig. 1C).

TABLE 1. Sample information

Location Date Sample description

Xinshao,HunanGuiyang,Guizhou

7 October, 2013 Polygonati OdoratiRhizoma

31 October, 2013 Polygonati PrattiiRhizoma

Yanling, Hunan 14 October, 2013 Disporopsis FuscopictaeRhizoma

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Macroscopic MorphologyPolygonati Odorati Rhizoma. Cylindrical and

Straight. 4–20 cm long and 0.3–1.6 cm in diameter.Surface yellowish-white to yellowish-brown, longitudi-nal wrinkle. Node upward light uplift and conspicuousabout 1 cm spacing. Root scars are tiny dots, yellowish-white, scatter. Stem scars are round, yellowish-whiteto yellowish-brown, about 0.5 cm in diameter. Texture

is hard and brittle, and easily to break, gets softerafter the damp. Fracture uneven, canary yellow. Tinyodor, sweet and viscous when chewed (Fig. 2A).

Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma. Cylindrical andtortuous. 3–11 cm long and about 0.4 cm in diameter.Surface yellowish-brown, longitudinal wrinkle. Nodeis inconspicuous. Root scars are fine dots, white, scat-ter. Stem scars are disk-shaped, white, 0.3–0.9 cm in

Fig. 2. Macroscopic of CMM. A: Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma. B: Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma. C: Dis-poropsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma; (1) longitudinal grain and root on the surface; (2) stem scars; (3) trans-verse section of rhizome. [Color figure can be viewed in the online issue, which is available atwileyonlinelibrary.com.]

Fig. 1. Original plants. A: Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce. B: Polygonatum prattii Baker. C: Dis-poropsis fuscopicta Hance; (1) flowers; (2) fruit. [Color figure can be viewed in the online issue, which isavailable at wileyonlinelibrary.com.]

AUTHENTICATION OF POLYGONATI ODORATI RHIZOMA AND OTHER TWO CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA 3

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diameter. Fracture uneven, canary yellow to lightorange. Texture, odor, and taste are the same as Polyg-onati Odorati Rhizoma (Fig. 2B).

Disporopsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma. Cylindricaland tortuous. 5–15 cm long and 0.2–1.0 cm indiameter. Surface yellowish-brown to tan, some-times other parts are green, longitudinal wrinkle.Node is inconspicuous. Root scars are Small dot,yellowish-white, scatter. Stem scars are round, sal-low to yellowish-brown, 0.3–0.4 cm in diameter.Fracture uneven, canary yellow. Texture, odor, andtaste are the same as Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma(Fig. 2C).

Microscopic Characteristics

Microscopic techniques are the conventional meth-ods, but it is especially useful methods. The remark-able and reliable microscopic characters of transversesections from the three species were shown.

Transverse Section of Polygonati OdoratiRhizoma.

1. Size of transverse section: above 10 mm in diameter;2. Epidermis: one layer of cell, covered with cuticula in

outer cell;3. Cortex: with parenchyma cells, about 1/5 the radius

of the transverse section;

Fig. 3. Transverse section of rhizome. A: Polygonati OdoratiRhizoma. B: Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma. C: Disporopsis Fusco-pictae Rhizoma; (a) transverse section details of rhizome; (b)transverse section larger version of rhizome; (1) epidermis; (2)cortex; (3) endodermis; (4) mucilage cells; (5) vascular bundle;

(6) pith; (7) raphides of calcium oxalate; (8) raphides of calciumoxalate under polarized microscope. [Color figure can be viewedin the online issue, which is available at wileyonlinelibrary.com.]

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4. Endodermis: inconspicuous;5. Stele: closed collateral vascular bundles, amphi-

vasal vascular bundles are occasionally seen,scatter;

6. Pith: visible, lies in the center in the transverse sec-tion of rhizome;

7. Mucilage cells: exist in the whole tissue, butonly contain scatter raphides of calcium oxalatein the cortex. The average number of mucilagecells was 11 in the perspective of four timesmirror;

8. Raphides of calcium oxalate: scattered, visibleunder polarized microscope (Fig. 3A).

Transverse Section of Polygonati PrattiiRhizoma.

1. Size of transverse section: 3–4 mm in diameter;2. Epidermal: one layer of cell, covered with cuticula in

outer cell, papillary;3. Cortex: with parenchyma cells, 1/2 the radius of the

transverse section;4. Endodermis: conspicuous;5. Stele: mainly amphivasal vascular bundles, a small

amount of closed collateral vascular bundles,scatter;

6. Pith: inconspicuous;

Fig. 3. Continued. [Color figure can be viewed in the online issue, which is available at wileyonlinelibrary.com.]

AUTHENTICATION OF POLYGONATI ODORATI RHIZOMA AND OTHER TWO CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA 5

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7. Mucilage cells: exist in the whole tissue, containscatter raphides of calcium oxalate. The averagenumber of mucilage cells was 50 in the perspectiveof four times mirror;

8. Raphides of calcium oxalate: mostly in bundles likebroom, visible under polarized microscope (Fig. 3B).

Transverse Section of Disporopsis FuscopictaeRhizoma.

1. Size of transverse section: above 5 mm in diameter;2. Epidermal: one layer of cell, covered with cuticula in

outer cell;

3. Cortex: with parenchyma cells, 1/3 the radius of thetransverse section;

4. Endodermis: conspicuous;5. Stele: amphivasal vascular bundles, scatter;6. Pith: inconspicuous;7. Mucilage cells: exist in the whole tissue, contain

scatter raphides of calcium oxalate. The averagenumber of mucilage cells was 30 in the perspectiveof four times mirror;

8. Raphides of calcium oxalate: Mostly in bundles, justside by side or like brooms, visible under polarizedmicroscope (Fig. 3C).

Fig. 3. Continued. [Color figure can be viewed in the online issue, which is available at wileyonlinelibrary.com.]

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GC–MS Analysis of Essential Oil

The essential oils of three species were extracted bysteam distillation. The chemical compounds were sepa-rated and identified by GC–MS analysis. The relativecontent of each component was determined by areanormalization for the total ion current of three specieswith NIST08 library. The character and structure ofcomponents in CMM were distinguished by total ioncurrent of mass spectrometer (Fig. 4).

Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma. Twenty-threecomponents were analyzed, which accounted for99.96% of the total essential oil. Similarity of all com-ponents is higher than 90%. The major componentsare n-hexadecanoic acid (49.45%) and (Z,Z)29,12-octa-decadienoic acid (12.76%), which accounted for62.21%. By comparison, the unique components ofessential oil of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma are.alpha.-Pinene (1.52%), 3-Carene (0.14%), Camphene(0.96%), 2-pentyl-furan (5.30%), eucalypto (0.03%),dodecanoic acid (1.76%), (Z,Z)29,12-octadecadienoicacid (12.76%), and 8-hexyl-pentadecane (1.09%).

Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma. Sixteen compo-nents were analyzed, which accounted for 99.78% ofthe total essential oil. Similarity of all components ishigher than 90%. The major components are n-hexade-canoic acid (23.92%) and tetradecanoic acid (19.07),which accounted for 42.99%. The other componentsare Tetradecana (0.98%), Decaborane (2.13%), and arespecific components to Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma.

Disporopsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma. Nineteencomponents were analyzed, which accounted for99.60% of the total essential oil. Similarity of all com-ponents is higher than 90%. The major componentsare Eicosane (40.55%) and Tetracosane (23.23%),which accounted for 63.78%. n-Hexadecanoic acid onlyabout 9.45% of the total essential oil (Table 4).

DISCUSSION

In this investigation, CMM (Polygonati Odorati Rhi-zoma, Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma, and DisporopsisFuscopictae Rhizoma) have been studied on plant,macroscopic, and microscopic morphology.

For the plant morphology, to determine differentplant sources, the differences of leaf shape, stems color,berry color, petiolate or stalk, perianth shape, and itscolor were identified. Among the most notable: thefruit of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce is blue-black when it becomes ripe from July to September,while another two are maroon and dark purpleorderly.

For the macroscopical characteristics, PolygonatiOdorati Rhizoma is straight and bigger; the fibrousroots are numerous. Although Polygonati Prattii Rhi-zoma and Disporopsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma are tortu-ous and smaller with fewer fibrous roots (Liu et al.,2005). Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma and other two spe-cies are usually processed by being dried under thesunshine after harvested, shaked lightly in a con-tainer, and removed the fibrous roots (Chu et al.,2012). So we can only see the root scars and stem scars.Nodes of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma are conspicu-ously upward and light uplift, about 1 cm spacing, theother two are not. The surface of Polygonati OdoratiRhizoma looks from yellowish-white to yellowish-brown, while another two turn deeper. The generalmorphology characters of the rhizome of three speciesare given in Table 2.

For the microscopic characteristics (transverse sec-tion), the cortex of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma withparenchymatous cells, only occupies about 1/5 of theradius of the transverse section, which is much smallerthan other two species, and Polygonati Odorati Rhi-zoma with inconspicuous endodermis, others are con-spicuous. The type of vascular bundles of Polygonati

Fig. 4. A: Total ion current of the volatile oil from Polygonati Odor-ati Rhizoma. B: Total ion current of the volatile oil from PolygonatiPrattii Rhizoma. C: Total ion current of the volatile oil from Disporop-sis Fuscopictae Rhizoma.

AUTHENTICATION OF POLYGONATI ODORATI RHIZOMA AND OTHER TWO CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA 7

Microscopy Research and Technique

Odorati Rhizoma is closed collateral, but the othertwo are amphivas; endodermis is inconspicuous butpith is visible and lies in the center in the transversesection of rhizome; mucilage cells exist in the wholetissue, but only contain scatter raphides of calciumoxalate in the cortex; the average number of mucilagecells were 30 in the perspective of four times mirror.The type of vascular bundles of Polygonati OdoratiRhizoma is closed collateral, but the other two areamphivasal. Raphides of calcium oxalate are scat-tered in parenchymatous cells of Polygonati OdoratiRhizoma, but mostly are in bundles like brooms inPolygonati Pratti Rhizoma while in Disporopsis Fus-copictae Rhizoma, raphides of calcium oxalate are inbundles too, neat rows or like brooms. By comparison,the characteristics are significant differences amongPolygonati Odorati Rhizoma, Polygonati Prattii Rhi-zoma, and Disporopsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma. Thesedetailed microscopic characteristics of three speciesare given in Table 3.

From this research, GC–MS analysis of essentialoil of three species could provide mainly differentcharacteristics to distinguish Polygonati OdoratiRhizoma and other two. Twenty-three compounds

were identified from essential oil of Polygonati Odor-ati Rhizoma and the main components were n-hexa-decanoic acid (49.45%). Sixteen compounds wereidentified from essential oil of Polygonati Prattii Rhi-zoma and the main components of are n-Hexadeca-noic acid (23.92%), and Tetradecanoic acid (19.07%).Nineteen compounds were identified from essentialoil of Disporopsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma and the maincomponents of are Eicosane (40.55%) and Tetraco-sane (23.23%). n-Hexadecanoic acid only about9.45% of the total essential oil. The same componentsof essential oil of these three species are ethylben-zene, 1,3-dimethyl-benzene, o-xylene, tetradecanoicacid, pentadecanoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid,hexadecanoic acid trimethylsilyl ester, eicosane,heneicosane, tetracosane, hexatriacontane, and tet-ratetracontane. By comparison, the unique compo-nents of essential oil of Polygonati Odorati Rhizomaare .alpha.-Pinene (1.52%), 3-carene (0.14%), cam-phene (0.96%), 2-pentyl-furan (5.30%), eucalypto(0.03%), dodecanoic acid (1.76%), (Z,Z)29,12-octa-decadienoic acid (12.76%), and 8-hexyl-pentadecane(1.09%). The content of n-Hexadecanoic of three spe-cies is strongly different (Table 4).

TABLE 2. Comparison of macroscopical characteristics of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma, Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma, and Disporopsis Fuscopic-tae Rhizoma

Character Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma Disporopsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma

Shape Cylindrical, Straight Cylindrical, Tortuous Cylindrical, TortuousSize 4–20 cm long and 0.3–1.6 cm in

diameter3–11 cm long and about 0.4 cm in

diameter5–15 cm long and 0.2–1.0 cm in

diameterSurface Yellowish-white to yellowish-

brown, Longitudinal wrinkleYellowish-brown, Longitudinal

wrinkleYellowish-brown to tan, Sometimes

other parts is green, Longitudi-nal wrinkle

Node Light eminence, conspicuous, about1 cm spacing

Inconspicuous Inconspicuous

Root scars Tiny dot, yellowish-white, scatter Fine dot, white, scatter Small dot, yellowish-white, scatterStem scars Round, yellowish-white to

yellowish-brown, about 0.5 cm indiameter

Disk-shaped, white, 0.3–0.9 cm indiameter

Round, sallow to yellowish-brown,0.3–0.4 cm in diameter

Texture Hard and brittle, and easily tobreak, gets softer after the damp

Hard and brittle, and easily tobreak, gets softer after the damp

Hard and brittle, and easily tobreak, gets softer after the damp

Fracture Uneven, canary yellow, keratinized Uneven, canary yellow to lightorange, keratinized

Uneven, canary yellow, keratinized

Odor and taste Tiny odor, sweet, and viscous Tiny odor, sweet, and viscous Tiny odor, sweet, and viscous

TABLE 3. Comparison of microscopic characteristics of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma, Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma, and Disporopsis FuscopictaeRhizoma

Features (transverse section)Polygonati Odorati

RhizomaPolygonati Prattii

RhizomaDisporopsis Fuscopictae

Rhizoma

Size of transverse section Above 10 mm in diameter 3 mm–4 mm Above 5 mm in diameterEpidermis One layer cell, cutinization,

evenOne layer cell, cutinization,

papillaryOne layer cell, cutinization

Cortex About1/5 About 1/2 About 1/3Endodermis Inconspicuous Conspicuous ConspicuousMucilage cells of the contain

raphidesIn the cortex In the stele and Cortex In the stele and Cortex

The number of mucous cellsin the perspective of fourtimes mirror

About 11 About 50 About 30

Vascular bundles Closed collateral vascularbundles, amphivasal vas-cular bundles are occasion-ally seen

Mainly amphivasal vascularbundles, a small amount ofclosed collateral vascularbundles

Amphivasal vascular bundles

Pith Visible Inconspicuous InconspicuousRaphides of calcium oxalate Mainly scattered Mostly in bundles like broom Mostly in bundles, just neat

rows or like brooms

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In short, this research aimed to establish a methodby pharmacognosy identification and GC–MS analysisto identify three CMM, for providing scientifical datato ensure accuracy of origin of CMM, medicinal use,commodity market, upgrade of quality standards, andthe further researches.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This research has got the great help and support ofChinese medicine herbarium of National Institutes forFood and Drug Control. Sincerely thanks Zhang Ji andKang shuai for giving us valuable advices.

REFERENCES

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TABLE 4. Components of essential oil of Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma, Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma, and Disporopsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma byGC–MS

No RT (min)

Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma Polygonati Prattii Rhizoma Disporopsis Fuscopictae Rhizoma

Compounds Content (%) Compounds Content (%) Compounds Content (%)

1 4.24 Ethylbenzene 0.87 Ethylbenzene 2.08 Ethylbenzene 0.522 4.39 Benzene, 1,3-dimethyl- 5.25 Benzene, 1,3-dimethyl- 10.12 Benzene, 1,3-dimethyl- 2.543 4.87 o-Xylene 2.17 o-Xylene 4.12 o-Xylene 1.174 5.48 .alpha.-Pinene 1.52 / / / /5 5.76 3-Carene 0.14 / / / /6 6.15 Camphene 0.96 / / / /7 7.27 Furan, 2-pentyl- 5.30 / / / /8 8.49 Eucalyptol 0.03 / / / /9 20.64 / / / / .beta.-Neoclovene 0.5410 26.51 Dodecanoic acid 1.76 / / / /11 27.65 / Tetradecanal 0.98 / /12 28.81 Dodecanoic acid,

trimethylsilyl ester0.92 Dodecanoic acid,

trimethylsilyl ester0.67 / /

13 32.16 Tetradecanoic acid 1.92 Tetradecanoic acid 19.07 Tetradecanoic acid 0.7114 34.13 / / / / 2-Pentadecanone,

6,10,14-trimethyl-0.22

15 34.24 Tetradecanoic acid,trimethylsilyl ester

1.45 Tetradecanoic acid,trimethylsilyl ester

2.39 / /

16 34.80 Pentadecanoic acid 1.35 Pentadecanoic acid 1.49 Pentadecanoic acid 0.4517 37.42 n-Hexadecanoic acid 49.45 n-Hexadecanoic acid 23.92 n-Hexadecanoic acid 9.4518 37.93 / / / / Hexadecanoic acid,

ethyl ester1.14

20 38.307 / / / / Eicosyl acetate 0.4821 39.21 Hexadecanoic acid,

trimethylsilyl ester1.68 Hexadecanoic acid,

trimethylsilyl ester1.72 Hexadecanoic acid,

trimethylsilyl ester0.33

22 40.58 / / Decaborane 2.13 / /23 41.60 9,12-Octadecadienoic

acid (Z,Z)-12.76 / / / /

24 41.97 / / / / 9,12-Octadecadienoicacid, ethyl ester

1.14

25 42.69 Pentadecane,8-hexyl-

1.09 / / / /

26 44.91 Eicosane 2.65 Eicosane 4.40 Eicosane 40.5527 47.08 Heneicosane 2.13 Heneicosane 5.10 Heneicosane 3.6128 47.41 Fumaric acid 0.45 Fumaric acid 1.36 / /29 47.93 / / / / Pentadecanal 2.7330 49.65 Tetracosane 2.97 Tetracosane 7.71 Tetracosane 23.2331 51.17 / / / / Cyclononasiloxane,

octadecamethyl-0.32

32 52.84 Hexatriacontane 2.03 Hexatriacontane 7.43 Hexatriacontane 1.1133 56.92 Tetratetracontane 1.11 Tetratetracontane 4.25 Tetratetracontane 9.46Total 99.96 99.78 99.60

AUTHENTICATION OF POLYGONATI ODORATI RHIZOMA AND OTHER TWO CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA 9

Microscopy Research and Technique