Quality marker (Q-Marker) is an innovative concept and model for quality control of Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), which will navigate the new direction of quality development of TCMs. Yet, how to characterize the overall quality attributes of TCMs and their biological effects is still debating. In view of this key scientific issue, this paper proposes a research method based on mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technology for the discovery and confirmation of TCMs Q-Marker. MSI is powerful in investigating the spatial distribution of molecules in a variety of samples, and visualizing the information obtained from MS. On this basis, combine with the five principles of TCMs Q-Marker validation, i.e., specificity, transmission and traceability, testability, prescription compatibility, and validity, were applied to confirm the finalized Q-Marker. It will lead the new direction of quality development of TCMs.
关键词:
五原则;质量标志物;质量控制;中药
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Project Supported:
This work was sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82303681 & 82202950), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 3332022063), and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (No. 2021-I2M-1-042).
Zhiyun Wang a, Huajie Chang a, Qian Zhao b, Wenfeng Gou a, Yiliang Li a, Zhengwei Tu c,*, Wenbin Hou a,*. Mass spectrometry imaging for unearthing and validating quality markers in traditional Chinese medicines[J]. Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHM),2025,17(1):31-40
