Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome
Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma
Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome is the rhizome of Atractylodes lancea De Candolle, Atractylodes chinensis Koidzumi or their interspecific hybrids (Compositae).
Description:
Irregularly curved, cylindrical rhizome, 3 - 10 cm in length, 1 - 2.5 cm in diameter; externally dark grayish brown to dark yellow-brown; a transverse section nearly orbicular, with light brown to red-brown secretes as fine points.
Often white cotton-like crystals produced on its surface.
Odor, characteristic; taste, slightly bitter.
Under a microscope, a transverse section usually reveals periderm with stone cells; parenchyma of cortex, usually without any fiber bundle; oil sacs, containing light brown to yellow-brown substances, located at the end region of medullary rays; xylem exhibits vessels surrounded by fiber bundles and arranged radially on the region adjoining the cambium; pith and medullary rays exhibit the same oil sacs as in the cortex; parenchyma cells contain spherocrystals of inulin and fine needle crystals of calcium oxalate.
Purity:
(1) Heavy metals. Proceed with 3.0 g of pulverized Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome according to Method 3, and perform the test. Prepare the control solution with 3.0 mL of Standard Lead Solution (not more than 10 ppm).
(2) Arsenic. Prepare the test solution with 0.40 g of pulverized Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome according to Method 4, and perform the test (not more than 5 ppm).
(3) Atractylodes rhizome. Macerate 0.5 g of pulverized Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome with 5 mL of ethanol (95) by warming in a water bath for 2 minutes, and filter. To 2 mL of the filtrate add 0.5 mL of vanillin-hydrochloric acid TS, and shake immediately: no red to red-purple color develops within 1 minute.
Total ash:
Not more than 7.0z.
Acid-insoluble ash:
Not more than 1.5z.Essential oil content:
Perform the test with 50.0 g of pulverized Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome: the volume of essential oil is not less than 0.7 mL.
Containers and storage:
Containers.Well-closed containers.
