Establishment of a quality marker (Q-marker) system for Chinese herbal medicines using burdock as an example

Background: A quality marker (Q-marker) for Chinese materia medica (CMM, Zhongyao in Chinese) is a new concept proposed by the academician Changxiao Liu for the quality control of CMM. CMM refers to natural medicines used under the guidance of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM, Zhongyi in Chinese), and includes Chinese herbal medicines (Zhongyaocai in Chinese), decoction pieces of Chinese medicines (Yinpian in Chinese) and proprietary Chinese medicines (Zhongchengyao in Chinese). The quality of Chinese herbal medicines is a prerequisite for using the decoction pieces of Chinese medicines and proprietary Chinese medicines. Hypothesis/purpose: We believe that the Q-markers for Chinese herbal medicines refer to certain types of substances or characteristics that can represent the quality of Chinese herbal medicines. In a narrow sense, the Qmarker refers to the active components (marker components) or chemicals that can be transferred during the subsequent processing of the proprietary Chinese medicines. Broadly speaking, the Q-marker refers to the morphological, chemical, biological, and ecological characteristics and markers that impact the quality of Chinese herbal medicines. We study on a Q-marker system for Chinese Herbal Medicines using burdock as an example in the paper. Methods: Based on more than 20 years of research by our team, the present paper uses burdock as an example to discuss the establishment of a Q-marker system for Chinese herbal medicines. Results: The Q-marker system for burdock was established from the morphological, chemical and biological aspects of burdock. During cultivation, the ecological environment is an important factor that affects burdock quality and arctiin accumulation. Conclusion: The Q-markers for the quality control of Chinese herbal medicines are the basis for CMM. The concept and theory of Q-marker provide guidance and correction for colleagues involved in the healthy development of the CMM industry.