Quality Control of Codonopsis Radix

Codonopsis radix, a root of Codonopsis lanceolata (S. et Z.) Trautv., is a source of the traditional medicine and health foods. However quality control method is not established yet. This research is to establish the standard for the quality control of Codonopsis radix. From the root of this plant, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-${\beta}$-carboline -3-carboxylic acid (1) was isolated. This alkaloid was adequate as a marker compound for quality control, since it is a unique constituent of Codonopsis radix. In particular, (1) was not found in Adenophorae radix, a common adulterants of Codonopsis radix. (omitted)