Bai Lian

AMPELOPSIS RADIX (白蔹, Bailian) Japanese Ampelopsis Root Ampelopsis japonica (Thunb.) Makino (Fam. Vitaceae). The drug is collected in spring and autumn, removed from the rootlets and soil, cut into longitudinal segments or oblique slices, and dried in the sun. Description Longitudinal segments oblong or nearly fusiform, 4–10 cm long and 1–2 cm in diameter. Edges usually rolled inward, with a raised ridge along the centre. Outer bark reddish-brown, with longitudinal wrinkles, fine transverse striations, and elongated transverse lenticels. Outer bark easily exfoliated in flakes, exposing a reddish-brown inner layer. Oblique slices ovate, 2.5–5 cm long and 2–3 cm wide. Cut surface whitish or pale reddish-brown, showing distinct radial striations. Edges relatively thick, slightly raised or somewhat curved. Texture light, hard and brittle. Fracture dusty. Odour slight. Taste sweet. Identification (1) Powder Pale reddish-brown. Starch granules simple, oblong, long-ovoid, reniform or irregular, 3–13 μm in diameter, hilum indistinct. Compound starch granules few. Needles of calcium oxalate 86–169 μm long, scattered singly or arranged in bundles within mucilage cells. Clusters of calcium oxalate 25–78 μm in diameter, with broad and prominent angles. Bordered-pitted vessels 35–60 μm in diameter. (2) To 2 g of the powder add 30 mL of ethanol. Heat under reflux for 1 hour. Filter. Evaporate the filtrate to dryness. Dissolve the residue in 2 mL of ethanol as the test solution. Prepare a solution of 2 g of Ampelopsis Radix Reference Drug in the same manner as the reference drug solution. Carry out the method for Thin-Layer Chromatography (0502) using silica gel G as the coating substance and a mixture of chloroform and methanol (6:1) as the mobile phase. Apply separately 5 μL of each solution to the plate. After development, remove the plate and dry in air. Spray with 10% sulfuric acid in ethanol. Heat at 105°C until the spots become clearly visible. The spots in the chromatogram obtained with the test solution correspond in position and colour to those obtained with the reference drug solution. Foreign Matter Not more than 3.0% (2301). Water Not more than 15.0% (0832, Method 2). Total Ash Not more than 12.0% (2302). Acid-insoluble Ash Not more than 3.0% (2302). Extractives Carry out the method for determination of ethanol-soluble extractives (2201, Cold Maceration Method) using 25% ethanol as the solvent. Not less than 18.0%. Prepared Slices Processing Remove foreign matter. Wash clean. Soften thoroughly. Cut into thick slices. Dry. Description Irregular thick slices. Outer bark reddish-brown, with longitudinal wrinkles, fine transverse striations, and elongated transverse lenticels. Outer bark easily exfoliated in flakes, exposing a reddish-brown inner layer. Cut surface whitish or pale reddish-brown, showing radial striations. Edges relatively thick, slightly raised or slightly curved. Texture light, hard and brittle. Fracture dusty. Odour slight. Taste sweet. Identification As required for the crude drug. Water, Total Ash, Acid-insoluble Ash, and Extractives As required for the crude drug. Property and Flavor Mildly cold; bitter. Meridian Tropism Heart and Stomach meridians. Actions To clear heat, remove toxins, disperse abscesses, dissipate nodules, promote wound healing, and stimulate tissue regeneration. Indications Abscesses, cellulitis, carbuncles of the back, deep-rooted boils, sores, scrofula, burns, and scalds. Administration and Dosage 5–10 g. For external use, an appropriate amount may be decocted for washing or ground into a very fine powder and applied to the pars affecta (affected area). Precautions and Warnings Incompatible with: Aconiti Radix Aconiti Radix Cocta Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata Storage Preserve in a well-ventilated and dry place, protected from insects.