Distribution patterns and industry planning of commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal plants in China

Medicinal plants are the primary material basis for disease prevention and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).The conservation and sustainable utilization of these medicinal plants is critical for the development of the TCM industry.However,wild medicinal plant resources have sharply declined in recent decades.To ameliorate the shortage of medicinal plant resources,it is essential to explore the development potential of the TCM industry in different geographical regions.For this purpose,we examined the spatial distribution of commonly used medicinal plants in China,the number of Chinese medicinal material markets,and the number of TCM decoction piece enterprises.Specifically,multispecies superimposition analysis and Thiessen polygons were used to reveal the optimal range for planting bulk medicinal plants and the ideal regions for building Chinese medicinal material markets,respectively.Furthermore,we quantitatively analyzed mismatches between the spatial distribution of commonly used medicinal plant richness,Chinese medicinal material markets,and TCM decoction piece enterprises.We found that the areas suitable for growing commonly used medicinal plants in China were mainly distributed in Hengduan Mountain,Nanling Mountain,Wuling Mountain,and Daba Mountain areas.The Thiessen polygon network based on Chinese medicinal material market localities showed there are currently fewer markets in southwestern,northwestern,and northeastern China than in central and southern China.TCM decoction piece enterprises are concentrated in a few provinces,such as Hebei and Jiangxi.We found that the distribution of commonly used medicinal plants,Chinese medicinal material markets and TCM decoction piece enterprises are mismatched in Henan,Shaanxi,Hunan,Hubei,Zhejiang,Fujian,Chongqing,and Xizang.We recommend strengthening development of the TCM industry in Henan,Hunan,Zhejiang,Shaanxi,Hubei,Chongqing,Fujian,and Xizang;building more Chinese medicinal material markets in southwestern,northwestern,and northeastern China;and establishing medicinal plant nurseries in resource-rich provinces to better protect and domesticate local medicinal plants.

Epigenetic changes in the regulation of carotenoid metabolism during honeysuckle flower development

Flower development is one of the most vital pathways in plant development, during which the epigenetic regulation of gene expression is essential. DNA methylation, the most conserved epigenetic modification, participates in gene expression regulation and transposable element silencing. Honeysuckle(Lonicera japonica) is an important medicinal plant renowned for its colorful and fragrant flowers. Honeysuckle flowers change color from white to gold as a result of carotenoid accumulation during development. However, the role of DNA methylation in flower color changes is not well understood in L. japonica. Here, we performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and transcriptome sequencing during flowering development in honeysuckle. The results showed that a decrease in the levels of genome-wide average DNA methylation during flower development and changes in DNA methylation were associated with the expression of demethylase genes. Moreover, many genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and degradation, such as Lj PSY1, LjPDS1, LjLCYE, and LjCCD4, have altered expression levels because of hypomethylation, indicating that DNA methylation plays an important role in flower color changes in honeysuckle. Taken together, our data provide epigenetic insights into flower development and color change in honeysuckles.

Advances in Researches on Chemical Composition and Functions of Hemerocallis Plants

The genus Hemerocallis is a kind of perennial herbaceous plants of Liliaceae and consists of about 15 species in the world,11 of which can be found in China. Some species of Hemerocallis are widely cultivated for medicinal,edible and ornamental application. Considerable progress had been made in researches on chemical composition and functions of Hemerocallis plants. Previous phytochemical studies on Hemerocallis plants have demonstrated the presence of flavonoids,anthraquinones,alkaloids,terpenoids,triterpenes and triterpenoid saponins,caffeoylquinic acid derivatives,naphthalene glycosides,steroid and steroidal saponins,phenylethanoid glycosides,and lignans. Functional activities of Hemerocallis plants are mainly manifested in sedative hypnotic,antidepressant,antioxidant,anti-tumor,hepatoprotective,antibacterial and insecticidal activities. Chemical composition of Hemerocallis plants is various,and structural type is rich,and has a variety of significant functional activities,so it is worth further study.

Rapid Authentication of the Poisonous Plant Gelsemium elegans by Combining Filter-Paper-Based DNA Extraction and RPA–LFD Detection

Numerous plants and animals are edible and officinal,but some can be poisonous.There is sometimes confusion between poisonous and non-poisonous materials because of similarities in their morphologies.Consequently,the unwitting intake of poisonous plant or animal material has resulted in poisoning cases and sometimes in death,especially for situation in the wild.Rapid and accurate authentication of toxic species is essential for establishing and adopting optimal and urgent treatment for patients in such cases,and can be life-saving or can at least minimize the damage to health.Unfortunately,most of the current species authentication methods,including DNA barcoding,loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP),chromatography technologies,and other methods,depend on professional equipment and a specialist laboratory,which are impracticable for real-time application in the field.It is therefore crucial to develop a rapid,accurate,and specific authentication method for poisonous species that does not require any equipment.

Diversity of Tropical Plant Resources in Yunnan Province and Its Conservation

Tropical regions in Yunnan Province are endowed with abundant biodiversity resources, and the number and application range of plants are increasing gradually with local development. Based on the fi eld investigation, laboratory specimen identifi cation, establishment of voucher specimen and relevant documents, tropical plant resources in Yunnan Province were analyzed systematically. Tropical plant resources in Yunnan have great social and economic benefi ts, so we should explore reasonable development and sustainable utilization of local resources. Further exploration of the status of tropical plant resources in Yunnan, the risk factors and conservation measures were important.

Multiomics comparison among populations of three plant sources of Amomi Fructus

Amomi Fructus(Sharen,AF)is a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)from three source species(or varieties),including Wurfbainia villosa var.villosa(WVV),W.villosa var.xanthioides(WVX),or W.longiligularis(WL).Among them,WVV has been transplanted from its top-geoherb region,Guangdong,to its current main production area,Yunnan,for>50 years in China.However,the genetic and transcriptomic differentiation among multiple AF source species(or varieties)and between the origin and transplanted populations of WVV is unknown.In our study,the observed overall higher expression of terpenoid biosynthesis genes in WVV than in WVX provided possible evidence for the better pharmacological effect of WVV.We also screened six candidate borneol dehydrogenases(BDHs)that potentially catalyzed borneol into camphor in WVV and functionally verified them.Highly expressed genes at the P2 stage of WVV,Wv05G1424 and Wv05G1438,were capable of catalyzing the formation of camphor from(+)-borneol,(-)-borneol and DL-isoborneol.Moreover,the BDH genes may experience independent evolution after acquiring the ancestral copies,and the following tandem duplications might account for the abundant camphor content in WVV.Furthermore,four populations of WVV,WVX,and WL are genetically differentiated,and the gene flow from WVX to WVV in Yunnan contributed to the greater genetic diversity in the introduced population(WVV-JH)than in its top-geoherb region(WVV-YC),which showed the lowest genetic diversity and might undergo genetic degradation.In addition,terpene synthesis(TPS)and BDH genes were selected among populations of multiple AF source species(or varieties)and between the top-and non-top-geoherb regions,which might explain the difference in metabolites between these populations.Our findings provide important guidance for the conservation,genetic improvement,and industrial development of the three source species(or varieties)and for identifying top-geoherbalism with molecular markers,and proper clinical application of AF.

Comparative Analysis of the Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequences of Four Origin Plants of Lonicerae Flos(Lonicera;Caprifoliaceae)

Lonicerae Flos(LF)derived from the dried flower buds or opening flowers of four Lonicera plants(Lonicera macranthoides,L.hypoglauca,L.confusa,and L.fulvotnetosa),is a popular traditional Chinese medicine.Because the four origin plants are very similar in morphology,it is difficult to control the quality of LF in actual production.Over the past decade,many reports have pointed out the differences among them,including the botanical characteristics and active ingredients.However,there is still a lack of rapid methods that can be applied to the identification of the four origins.In this study,comparative analysis of the four chloroplast genomes was performed,and they showed low diversity(Pi=0.00267),three variation hotspots regions(rbcL-accD,rps12-ndhF and rps12-trnN-trnG)were identified as potentially molecular marker of highly informative.Meanwhile,the most obvious difference in SSR comparative analysis is reverse and complement repeats were only identified in L.confusa and L.hypoglauca,respectively.Lastly,the phylogenetic tree showed that L.confusa is more closely related to L.fulvotnetosa,while L.macranthoides is closer to L.hypoglauca.This study systematically revealed the differences among the four chloroplast genomes,and it provides valuable genetic information for identifying the origin of LF.

Brief introduction to the historical development and therapeutic effects of cupping therapy in traditional Chinese medicine

Cupping therapy (CT) is an ancient traditional and complementary medicine practice. Recently, there has been a growing evidence of its potential benefits in the treatment of various diseases. The CT has been constantly developing with the emergence of various modern and improved cupping devices. It is now evident that cupping could adjust the Qi, blood, Yin and Yang, dredge the meridian, as well as relieve the effect of illness, achieve fitness and relative equilibrium of Yin-Yang. It exerts its effects through the negative pressure suction via the mechanical and thermal stimulations, and the negative pressure effects induced by cupping. This article gives an overview of CT practice, its historical development, as well as its therapeutic effects and mechanism. Furthermore, a new and updated classification of CT was briefly introduced.

Antidepressant effects of Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) extract on chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression in rats: modulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB pathway

Objective To investigate the antidepressant effects of Yuanzhi(Polygalae Radix;PR)aqueous extract on chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)-induced depression rat models and the underlying mechanisms.Methods A total of 40 male Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into control;model;low dose of PR(PR-L;0.5 g/kg);high dose of PR(PR-H;1 g/kg);and fluoxetine(10 mg/kg)groups;with 8 rats in each group.Except for the rats in control group;those in the other four groups underwent CUMS-induced depression modeling.PR and fluoxetine were administered intragastrically once daily;30 min prior to the CUMS procedure;for 14 consecu-tive days until the behavioral tests were performed.After CUMS modeling;the sucrose prefer-ence test(SPT);open field test(OFT);novelty-suppressed feeding test(NSFT);forced swim test(FST);and tail suspension test(TST)were employed to assess the pharmacological ef-fects of PR on the mitigation of depressive-like behaviors in rat models.Additionally;the en-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was utilized to quantify the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α;interleukin(IL)-6;and IL-1βin the rats.Western blot analysis was al-so conducted to evaluate the protein expression levels of nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB);in-ducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS);cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2);nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3);apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing caspase recruitment domain(ASC);and caspase-1 in the hippocampal tissues of the rats.Immunofluorescence staining was per-formed to observe the morphological changes in ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 positive(Iba-1+)cells in the dentate gyrus(DG)of rats with CUMS-induced depression.Results(i)Treatment with PR-H and fluoxetine resulted in significant enhancements in both the total distance and time the rats moved during tests(P<0.01 and P<0.05;respectively).Post-administration of PR-H and fluoxetine also led to statistically significant increase in su-crose preference among rats(P<0.05).Besides;PR-L;PR-H;and fluoxetine treatment markedly decreased the latency of ingestion(P<0.05;P<0.05;and P<0.01;respectively).As observed from the FST;PR-L;PR-H;and fluoxetine presented antidepressant effects on rats with CUMS-induced depression;leading to the reduction in time of their immobility(P<0.05;P<0.01;and P<0.01;respectively).The results of TST indicated reduced immobility time in rats receiving PR-H and fluoxetine treatment as well(P<0.01).(ii)Rats in model group showed an increase in the levels of Iba-1+microglia in their left and right brains in compari-son with control group(P<0.01).However;such increase was negated post PR treatment(P<0.01).Treatment with PR-L;PR-H;and fluoxetine considerably reduced the levels of inflam-matory factors(TNF-α;IL-1β;and IL-6;P<0.01).In addition;treatment of PR-L and PR-H ef-fectively counteracted the elevated levels of NLRP3;ASC;and caspase-1;and markedly down-regulated the expression levels of phosphorylated p65(p-p65);COX-2;and iNOS in rats’hip-pocampus(P<0.01).Conclusion Collectively;these findings indicate that PR exerts an antidepressant effect on rats with CUMS-induced depression partially through the modulation of the NLRP3 and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Perspective and challenges of mycorrhizal symbiosis in orchid medicinal plants

The family Orchidaceae is of the most diverse taxon in the plant kingdom,and most of its members are highly valuable herbal medicines.Orchids have a unique mycorrhizal symbiotic relationship with specific fungi for carbohydrate and nutrient supplies in their whole lifecycle.The large-scale cultivation of the medicinal plant Gastodia elata is a successful example of using mycorrhizal symbiotic technology.In this review,we adopted G.elata and Dendrobium officinale as examples to describe the characteristics of orchid mycorrhiza and mycorrhizal benefits for host plants’growth and health(e.g.biotic and abiotic stress and secondary metabolite accumulation).The challenges in applying mycorrhizal technology to the cultivation of orchid medicinal plants in the future were also discussed.This review aims to serve as a theoretical guide for the cultivation of mycorrhizal technology in medicinal orchid plants.

Strategies on biosynthesis and production of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants

Medicinal plants are a valuable source of essential medicines and herbal products for healthcare and disease therapy.Compared with chemical synthesis and extraction,the biosynthesis of natural products is a very promising alternative for the successful conservation of medicinal plants,and its rapid development will greatly facilitate the conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants.Here,we summarize the advances in strategies and methods concerning the biosynthesis and production of natural products of medicinal plants.The strategies and methods mainly include genetic engineering,plant cell culture engineering,metabolic engineering,and synthetic biology based on multiple“OMICS”technologies,with paradigms for the biosynthesis of terpenoids and alkaloids.We also highlight the biosynthetic approaches and discuss progress in the production of some valuable natural products,exemplifying compounds such as vindoline(alkaloid),artemisinin and paclitaxel(terpenoids),to illustrate the power of biotechnology in medicinal plants.

Phylogenetic and spatial patterns of herbal medicine compounds:Which medicinal plants are phytochemically characterized?

Objective: The study of phytometabolites of medicinal plants and their phylogenetic distribution is an important content of pharmacophylogeny. The objectives of this study were to provide an updated estimate of the extent to which the medicinal plants were investigated phytochemically and relate this to the species-level phylogeny and their geographical pattern.Methods: Here, we further characterized 1 648 phytometabolites, including terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, phenolics, alkaloids, etc., reported in journals Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs(Zhong Cao Yao) and Chinese Herbal Medicines(CHM) from the phylogenetic and spatial perspectives. According to the structural characteristics, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids and phenylpropanoids were subdivided into subclasses, and the research effort of phytometabolites was for the first time delineated at both subclass and phylogenetic levels.Results: The phytometabolites of 90 families were reported on two journals in three years. It is noted that terpenoids with diverse bioactivities still constitute the primary object of phytochemical research, followed by flavonoids, phenolics, phenylpropanoids and alkaloids. Among the reported species, the family Asteraceae had the most, followed by Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Ranunculaceae. In the phylogenetic distribution of the reported phytometabolites, the net relatedness index(NRI) results revealed a clustered structure for triterpene, iridoid, flavone, flavonol, coumarin, indole alkaloid and terpenoid alkaloid, while the nearest taxon index(NTI) metric identified the clustered structure for triterpene, sesquiterpene,indole alkaloid and terpenoid alkaloid. Especially in Ranunculaceae, there were more reports on triterpene and terpenoid alkaloid subclasses. The overdispersion pattern of diterpene and phenolic was suggested by NRI and NTI respectively, albeit more reported diterpenes and phenolics were in Lamiaceae.The geographical distribution hotspots of reported species and compounds thereof highlighted the enormous progress of herbal medicine research and industry, which play a positive role in the future drug discovery and development.Conclusion: These results provide new dimensions and perspectives in the context of pharmacophylogeny for perceiving and evaluating research trends and flashpoints in medicinal phytochemistry.

In vitro and in vivo antioxidative and hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of Cortex Dictamni

AIM To investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Cortex Dictamni aqueous extract(CDAE) in carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)-induced liver damage in rats.METHODS The in vitro antioxidant effect of CDAE was investigated using α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS), β-carotene bleaching, reducing power, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assays. A linoleic acid system, including ferric thiocyanate(FTC) and thiobarbituric acid(TBA) assays, was used to evaluate the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of CDAEagainst CCl4-induced liver damage were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Silymarin was used as a positive control. Liver damage was assessed by determining hepatic histopathology and liver marker enzymes in serum. Enzyme and non-enzyme antioxidant levels and lipid peroxide content were measured in the liver. Cytochrome P450 2E1(CYP2E1) protein expression was measured via immunohistochemical staining. Nuclear factor E2-related factor(Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase catalytic subunit(γ-GCSc) protein expression was measured by Western blot.RESULTS Our results showed that CDAE exhibited a strong antioxidant activity in vitro. CDAE scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals in a dose-dependent manner. CDAE inhibited lipid peroxidation with a lipid peroxide inhibition rate of 40.6% ± 5.2%. In the FTC and TBA assays, CDAE significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation(P < 0.01). In vivo histopathological studies indicated that CCl4-induced liver injury was alleviated following CDAE treatment in rats of both sexes. CDAE(160 and 320 mg/kg) significantly prevented CCl4-induced elevations of alkaline phosphatase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels in rats of both sexes(P < 0.05, 0.01, or 0.001). Moreover, CDAE restored the decreased activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as non-enzyme antioxidant glutathione, which were induced by CCl4 treatment. CDAE significantly suppressed the up-regulation of CYP2E1 and promoted Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, and γ-GCSc protein expression.CONCLUSION CDAE exhibits good antioxidant performance in vitro, with marked radical-scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activities. CDAE is effective in preventing CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats of both sexes. The hepatoprotective activity of CDAE may be attributable to its antioxidant activity, which may involve Keap1-Nrf2-mediated antioxidant regulation.

Herbal compound 861 regulates mRNA expression of collagen synthesis- and degradation-related genes in human hepatic stellate cells

AIM： To identify the role of herbal compound 861 （Cpd 861） in the regulation of mRNA expression of collagen synthesis- and degradation-related genes in human hepatic stellate cells （HSCs）. METHODS： mRNA levels of collagen types I and III, matrix metalloproteinase 1 （MMP-1）, matrix metalloproteinase 2 （MMP-2）, membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase （MT1-MMP）, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 （TIMP-1）, and transforming growth factor β1 （TGF-β1） in cultured-activated HSCs treated with Cpd 861 or interferon-γ, （IFN-γ,） were determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS： Both Cpd 861 and IFN-γ reduced the mRNA levels of collagen type Ⅲ, MMP-2 and TGF-β1. Moreover, Cpd 861 significantly enhanced the MMP-1 mRNA levels while down-regulated the TIMP-1 mRNA expression, increasing the ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1 to （6.3 ＋ 0.3）- fold compared to the control group. CONCLUSION： The anti-fibrosis function of Cpd 861 may be mediated by both decreased interstitial collagen sythesis by inhibiting the transcription of collagen type Ⅲ and TGF-β1 and increased degradation of these collagens by up-regulating MMP-1 and down-regulating TIMP-1 mRNA levels.

A new cassane diterpenoid lactone from the seed of Caesalpinia minax

A new cassane diterpenoid lactone was isolated from the seed of Caesalpinia minax. On the basis of spectral evidences, its structure was established as 12α-methoxyl, 5α, 14β-dihydroxy-1α, 6α, 7β-triacetoxycass-13（15）-en-16, 12-olide.

Red Yeast Rice Increases Excretion of Bile Acids in Hamsters

Objective To investigate the hypocholesterolemic activity of red yeast rice （RYR） and its underlying mechanism. Methods Three groups of hamsters were fed either the control diet or one of the two experimental diets containing by weight 0.1% RYR （0.1RYR） or 0.3% RYR （0.3RYR）. Blood （0.5 mL） was collected from the retro-orbital sinus into a heparinized capillary tube at the end of week 0, 3, and 6. Plasma lipoproteins were measured using enzymatic kits, while fecal neutral and acidic sterols were quantified using a gas-liquid chromatography. Results Plasma total cholesterol was reduced by 12% in 0.1RYR group and by 18% in 0.3RYR group compared with the control value. Similarly, plasma triacylglycerol was decreased by 11% in 0.1RYR group and by 24% in 0.3RYR group. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that RYR had no effect on sterol regulatory element binding protein 2, fiver X receptor, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary-CoA reductase, LDL receptor, and cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase. HPLC analysis confirmed that RYR contained 0.88% monacolin K. It was recently found that RYR supplementation increased excretion of fecal acidic sterols by 34 folds compared with the conlrol value. Conclusion Hypocholesterolemic activity of RYR is mediated at least partially by enhancement of acidic sterol excretion.

Simultaneous determination of seven flavonoids in Epimedium by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method

In this paper, a sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry （LC-ESI-MS） method has been developed and validated for the identification and determination of seven flavonoids, namely epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, icariin, sagittatoside B, 2＂-O-rhamnosyl icariside II, and baohuoside I in Epimedium from different sources.

Ginsenoside Rb1 produces antidepressant-like effects in chronic social defeat stress model of depression through BDNF-TrkB sig⁃naling pathway

OBJECTIVE Ginsenoside Rb1(Rb1),an important bioactive ingredient of Panax ginseng,has potent neuroprotective effects.The objective of the study is to elucidate the impact of Rb1 treatment on chronic social defeat stress(CSDS)-induced depressive-like behaviors and its related mechanism.METHODS AND RE⁃SULTS The daily oral administration of Rb1(35 and 70 mg·kg-1)and imipramine(15 mg·kg-1)for 28 d significantly reversed the social avoidance behavior,anhedonia,and behavioral despair via CSDS exposure,as demonstrated by the consid⁃erable elevation in the time in the zone in social interaction test and consumption of sucrose solu⁃tion in sucrose preference test and decrease of immobility time in forced swim test.Moreover,Rb1 obviously restored the CSDS-induced decrease of BDNF-signaling pathway and hippo⁃campal neurogenesis.Rb1 significantly increased the hippocampal levels of ERK,AKT,and CREB phosphorylation and increased the number of DCX+cells in DG.Importantly,the antidepres⁃sant effects of Rb1 were completely blocked in mice by using K252a(the nonselective tyrosine kinase B inhibitor).CONCLUSION Rb1 exerts promising antidepressant-like effects in mice with CSDS-induced depression,and its effects was facilitated by enhancing the BDNF signaling cas⁃cade and up-regulation of hippocampal neuro⁃genesis.

A new homoflavonoid from the seed of Caesalpinia minax Hance

A new homoflavonoid was isolated from the seed of Caesalpinia minax Hance.On the basis of spectral evidences,its structure was established and named as minaxin.

Effects of L.F04,the Active Fraction of Lycopus lucidus, on Erythrocytes Rheological Property

Objective: To study the effects of L.F04, the active fraction of Lycopus lucidus, on erythrocytes rheological property so as to investigate its mechanism in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Method: The effects of L.F04 (used for treatment for 10 days in different dosages) on deformability, aggregation and membrane liquidity of erythrocytes (MLE) as well as whole blood apparent viscosity (η_b) were examined on the basis of rat model of blood-stasis syndrome induced by venous injection of high molecular weight dextran. Result: As compared with the normal control group, the model group's RBC deformability and MLE were lower, and the aggregation of erythrocytes and η_b were higher. Compared with the model group, both L.F04 0.612g/kg and 0.306g/kg showed significant effect in improving deformability and inhibiting aggregation of red blood cells (RBC) and reducing blood viscosity. The trend of improving MLE was also shown. Conclusion: L.F04 could significantly improve the abnormal rheological property of erythrocytes.