Cao Guo

TSAOKO FRUCTUS (草果, Caoguo) Caoguo The drug is collected in autumn when ripe, freed from foreign matter, and dried in the sun or at a low temperature. Description Long ellipsoid, 3-obtusely ridged, 2–4 cm long and 1–2.5 cm in diameter. Externally greyish-brown to reddish-brown, with longitudinal furrows and ridges, a rounded and prominent stylopodium at the apex, and a fruit stalk or its scar at the base. Pericarp tough and easily torn longitudinally. After removal of the exocarp, the central portion shows yellowish-brown septa dividing the seed mass into three groups, each containing 8–11 seeds. Seeds conically polyhedral, about 5 mm in diameter, externally reddish-brown and covered with a greyish-white membranous aril. Each seed bears a longitudinally furrowed raphe and a dented hilum at the apex. Texture hard. Endosperm greyish-white. Odour characteristically aromatic; taste pungent and slightly bitter. Identification (1) Transverse section of the seed Parenchymatous cells of the aril contain starch granules. Epidermal cells of the testa are brown, rectangular, with relatively thick walls. Hypodermal cells consist of one layer containing yellow contents. The oil-cell layer consists of one row of oil cells, subsquare or rectangular, measuring 42–162 μm tangentially and 48–68 μm radially, containing yellow oil droplets. The pigment layer consists of several rows of shrunken brown cells. The tegmen consists of one row of palisade sclerenchymatous cells, brownish-red, with heavily thickened inner and lateral walls, small lumen, and containing silica bodies. Cells of the perisperm contain starch granules together with a few small clusters and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate. Cells of the endosperm contain aleurone grains and starch granules. (2) Dissolve a quantity of the volatile oil obtained under the Assay in ethanol to prepare a solution containing 50 μL/mL as the test solution. Dissolve Cineole CRS in ethanol to prepare a solution containing 20 μL/mL as the reference solution. Carry out the method for Thin-Layer Chromatography (0502), using silica gel G as the coating substance and a mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate (17:3) as the mobile phase. Apply separately 1 μL of each solution to the plate. After development, remove the plate, dry in air, spray with 5% vanillin in sulfuric acid solution, and heat at 105°C until the spots become distinct. The blue spot in the chromatogram obtained with the test solution corresponds in position and colour to the spot in the chromatogram obtained with the reference solution. Water Not more than 15.0% (0832, Method 4). Total Ash Not more than 8.0% (2302). Assay Carry out the method for determination of volatile oil (2204). The seeds contain not less than 1.4% (mL/g) of volatile oil. Prepared Slices Processing Seeds of Tsaoko Fructus Stir-bake Tsaoko Fructus according to the method for simple stir-baking (0213) until brown and slightly inflated. Remove the husk and collect the seeds. Break into pieces before use. Description Conically polyhedral, about 5 mm in diameter. Externally brown to reddish-brown, some seeds still covered with remnants of the greyish-white membranous aril. Each seed possesses a longitudinally furrowed raphe and a dented hilum at the apex. Endosperm greyish-white to yellowish-white. Odour characteristically aromatic; taste pungent and slightly bitter. Identification As required for the crude drug. Water Not more than 10.0%, following the method for the crude drug. Total Ash Not more than 6.0%, following the method for the crude drug. Assay Contains not less than 1.0% (mL/g) of volatile oil, following the method for the crude drug. Seeds of Tsaoko Fructus (Processed with Ginger) Stir-bake the Seeds of Tsaoko Fructus according to the method for stir-baking with ginger juice (0213) until dry. Break into pieces before use. Description Similar to Seeds of Tsaoko Fructus. Brown, occasionally showing charred spots. Odour characteristically aromatic; taste pungent and slightly bitter. Identification As required for the crude drug. Water Not more than 10.0%, following the method for the crude drug. Total Ash Not more than 6.0%, following the method for the crude drug. Assay Contains not less than 0.7% (mL/g) of volatile oil, following the method for the crude drug. Property and Flavor Warm; pungent. Meridian Tropism Spleen and Stomach meridians. Actions To dry dampness, warm the middle energizer, relieve malaria, and dispel phlegm. Indications Cold-damp obstruction of the middle energizer, distending pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, fullness and oppression, vomiting, malaria with alternating chills and fever, and pestilential febrile diseases. Administration and Dosage 3–6 g. Storage Preserve in a cool and dry place.