Infrared spectroscopic techniques for the non-invasive and rapid quality control of Chinese traditional medicine Si-Wu-Tang

Abstract

Si Wu Tang (SWT) is used for the treatment of women’s diseases such as the ease of menstrual discomfort, dysmenorrhea and other oestrogen caused inconveniences. It is widely used in Asia, especially China, but it can also be integrated into Western medicine as an alternative therapy. It is composed of four herbs, such as Radix Paeoniae Alba, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Radix Rehmanniae Preparata. The main secondary metabolites present in these four herbs are phenolics, phthalides, alkaloids, terpene glycosides and iridoid glycosides. The identified bioactive components reported in the literature are gallic acid, paeoniflorin and paeonol from Paeonia, ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide and senkyunolide A from Angelica, ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, ligustrazine, butylphthalide and senkyunolide A from Chuanxiong, and catalpol from Rehmanni.