The Comparative Study on Zanthoxylum Peel's Impurity Tolerance Based on Pharmacopoeia by Countries

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to determine the impurity tolerance of Zanthoxylum Peel. Methods : Compare with medicinal Herb Books and the Pharmacopoeia of 6 nations. Results : Current Pharmacopoeia show different Zanthoxylum Peel's Purity, such as 2.0% of seeds and fruit stalk, etc. in North Korea, 2% of seeds in Vietnam, totally 3% in China. On the other hand, Korea and Japan set the total number 26.0% including the specific numbers such as 20.0% of seeds, 5.0% of fruit stalk, 1.0% of the other foreign matter. This Zanthoxylum Peel's Purity, 26.0%, is too high compared to that of other medical matters specified by The Korean Pharmacopoeia Ninth Edition. When The Japanese Pharmacopoeia Sixth Edition firstly set the Zanthoxylum Peel's Purity, the herbal name was Fructus. However, since the part for medical usage in origin is well-ripen pericarp, not seed, the permissible level, 30.0%, is supposed to be simple error range, 3.0%. Conclusions : As a result, I think bills concerning the Zanthoxylum Peel's Purity should be revised to the total number 3.0% or specifically set the level 2.0% of seeds, 1.0% of fruit stalk, twig and so on.