Quality Markers of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Concept, Progress, and Perspective

Abstract As the most important complementary medication against a variety of diseases, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been extensively applied over thousands of years. Current quality control of herbal medicines, however, is in great dispute. Unlike chemical drugs, which have clear and validated quality standards, the content of only one (or a few) compounds of many herbs and preparations is currently assessed as an indicator of quality, even though the assessed compound(s) is neither closely associated with the efficacy nor representative of the medicine as a whole. Based on the clinical use, compatibility of multiple component prescriptions, and manufacturing process of TCM, the new concept of a TCM quality marker that was proposed in previous work is discussed further here. In addition, practical technological approaches are described for the qualitative analysis and quantification of TCMs including herbs, processed products, and preparations, which lead to the discovery and identification of specific chemicals as quality markers and new quality control patterns. The progress that has been made in TCM quality control is also addressed. This work provides useful information for the quality control of herbal medicines in the future.