Establishment of a Method for The Distinguishment of Taxilli Herba Parasitizing Mulberry, Willow, and Cinnamon Based on Dual-Component Measurement 

Background: Taxilli Herba (TH) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb that parasitizes different tree types, but objective methods to determine its quality and detect contamination from host substances have not been reported. Thus, we aimed to establish methods to improve the safety and quality of TH. Methods: : We collected 10 samples each of TH hosted by mulberry, willow, and cinnamon trees from different regions and batches, along with twigs of the corresponding host trees. Samples were prepared by ultrasonic extraction with methanol as a solvent. HPLC was used to measure the content of quercitrin, the intrinsic component of TH, as well as of morusin, salicin, and cinnamaldehyde, characteristic of mulberry, willow, and cinnamon, respectively. Results: : Quercitrin was detected in all host trees but not in host twigs. However, the accumulation of the characteristic components of the hosts in TH substantially varied among the three hosts. The contents of morusin, salicin, and cinnamaldehyde in mulberry, willow, and cinnamon twigs were 134.78-437.60, 1787.91-2564.65 and 7219.36-10783.21 µg/g respectively, and the corresponding values in TH obtained from mulberry, willow, and cinnamon were 0.27-4.27、102.62-545.83 and 11.33-120.97 µg/g, respectively. Conclusions: : The host influences TH quality to varying degrees via the transfer of characteristic components. In this study, we successfully detailed a potentially generalizable, accurate, and reproducible dual-component measurement method to identify the TH host.