Da Ji

CIRSII JAPONICI HERBA (大蓟, Daji) Japanese Thistle Herb The dried aerial part of Cirsium japonicum Fisch. ex DC. (Fam. Compositae). The drug is collected at flowering in summer and autumn, freed from foreign matter, and dried in the sun. Description Stems cylindrical, the base up to 1.2 cm in diameter; externally greenish-brown or brown, with several longitudinal ridges and filamentous hairs; fracture greyish-white, pith loose or hollow. Leaves crumpled, mostly broken. When intact, lamina oblanceolate or obovate-elliptical, pinnatipartite, margin with unequal spines. Upper surface greyish-green or yellowish-brown, lower surface lighter in colour, both surfaces covered with greyish-white filamentous hairs. Capitula terminal, globose or ellipsoidal. Involucre yellowish-brown. Pappus greyish-white and feathery. Odour slight; taste weak. Identification (1) Microscopic Identification Surface view of leaf Upper epidermal cells polygonal. Lower epidermal cells subrectangular, anticlinal walls sinuous. Stomata anomocytic or anisocytic, surrounded by 3–5 subsidiary cells. Non-glandular hairs 4–18-celled; apical cell slender and twisted, about 7 μm in diameter; walls bearing crisscross-striated cuticle. (2) To 1 g of the powder add 10 ml of methanol, ultrasonicate for 30 minutes, and filter. Evaporate the filtrate to dryness and dissolve the residue in 2 ml of methanol as the test solution. Prepare a reference drug solution in the same manner using 1 g of Cirsii Japonici Herba Reference Drug. Carry out the method for thin-layer chromatography (0502), using polyamide as the coating substance and a mixture of acetylacetone, butanone, ethanol, and water (1 : 3 : 3 : 13) as the mobile phase. Apply separately 1–2 μl of each solution to the plate. After developing, remove the plate and dry in air. Spray with aluminium trichloride TS and dry again. Examine under ultraviolet light at 365 nm. The main fluorescent 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 2.0% (2301). Water Not more than 13.0% (0832, Method 2). Acid-insoluble Ash Not more than 3.0% (2302). Extractives Carry out the method for determination of ethanol-soluble extractives (2201, hot extraction method), using dilute ethanol TS as the solvent; not less than 15.0%. Assay Carry out the method for high-performance liquid chromatography (0512). Chromatographic System and System Suitability Use octadecylsilane-bonded silica gel as the stationary phase and a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid solution (21 : 79) as the mobile phase. The detection wavelength is 330 nm. The number of theoretical plates is not less than 3000, calculated with reference to the peak of pectolinarin. Reference Solution Dissolve pectolinarin CRS, accurately weighed, in 70% ethanol to produce a solution containing 55 μg/ml. Test Solution Accurately weigh 0.5 g of the coarse powder (through No. 3 sieve) into a conical flask. Accurately add 100 ml of 70% ethanol and weigh. Heat under reflux on a water bath for 1 hour. Cool, weigh again, replenish the loss in weight with 70% ethanol, mix well, and filter. Procedure Inject accurately 10 μl each of the reference solution and the test solution into the chromatograph. Calculate the content. It contains not less than 0.20% of pectolinarin (C₂₉H₃₄O₁₅), calculated with reference to the dried drug. Prepared Slices Processing Eliminate foreign matter, wash or moisten thoroughly, cut into sections, and dry at a low temperature. Description In irregular sections. Stems short cylindrical, externally greenish-brown, with several longitudinal ridges and filamentous hairs. Cut surface greyish-white; pith loose or hollow. Leaves crumpled, mostly broken, margins with unequal spines, both surfaces covered with greyish-white filamentous hairs. Capitula mostly broken. Odour slight; taste weak. Identification As required for the crude drug. Assay As required for the crude drug. Property and Flavor Cool; sweet and bitter. Meridian Tropism Heart and Liver meridians. Actions To cool the blood, stop bleeding, dissipate blood stasis, remove toxin, and reduce abscesses. Indications Epistaxis, hematemesis, hematuria, hematochezia, excessive menstruation and uterine bleeding, traumatic bleeding, swelling abscesses, sores, and skin infections. Administration and Dosage 9–15 g. Storage Preserve in a ventilated and dry place.