A study on the medicinal plants of the genus Atractylodes

Fu Shun-Mo, Fang Hong-Ju, Liu Guo-Sheng, Xiao Pei-Gen

Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1981-05-18 Published:1981-05-18
Contact: Fu Shun-Mo

Abstract:

Genus Atractylodes (Fam. Compositae) is the main source of two important

Chinese traditional drugs, “Baizhu”and “Cangzhu”, both being long used as a

stomachic.

After a general survey and taxonomical study, it has been found that “Baizhu”

was only derived from A. macrocephala Koidz. (A. ovata auct. Fl. Orient. Asiat. non

A. P. DC.), while “Cangzhu” were mainly from A. lancea (Thunb.) DC. and A. lancea

DC. var. chinensis Kitam.

Comparison of the components in the rhizomes of Chinese Atractylodes has been

made by TLC and GLC. The results have shown to be in accordance with their mor-

phological features and pharmaceutical merits.

“Baizhu”, A. macrocephala, with its leave pinnately incised, is characterized by the

presence of rich atractylon and absence or lack of atractylodin. As for “Cangzhu”, A.

lancea and A. lancea var. chinensis with their leave not incised or only lobed, are cha-

racterized by high contents of atractylodin, β-eudesmol and hinesol, but poor in atrac-

tylon.

The above conclusion may be of value to both the classification and utilization of

this group of Chinese medicinal plants.

Fu Shun-Mo, Fang Hong-Ju, Liu Guo-Sheng, Xiao Pei-Gen. A study on the medicinal plants of the genus Atractylodes[J]. .

Knowledge