中药陈化“陈久者佳”的科学内涵

Scientific connotation of “the older, the better” for long term-stored Chinese materia medica

中药陈化是一种独特的药材处理方法。中药在陈化过程中,受外界物理、化学、生物因素影响导致其理化性质、活性成分、功能效应发生变化,陈化后药性缓和、药效增强、毒性降低,进一步提高中药的安全性、有效性和质量稳定性,使之更加符合临床用药需求。结合本草文献和现代研究系统总结了中药陈化过程中物理性状、化学成分及功能变化,探讨了中药陈化机制,以期为中药陈用理论和陈用方法的研究提供科学依据和研究思路。

Long term-stored method is characteristic for process of Chinese materia medica. Exposed to physical, chemical, and biological factor from surrounding environment during long term-stored, Chinese materia medica became moderate in property, stronger in efficacy and less toxicity, conducing to improvement of safety, effectiveness and quality stability in clinical application. Based on the herbal literature and modern research, the variation of physical property, chemical compounds and efficacy of Chinese materia medica after the long term-stored were systematically summarized, and the mechanism was discussed, in order to provide research ideas and scientific basis for studying long term-stored method for Chinese materia medica.