Classification of Samples of the Traditional Remedy "Chinese Goldthread" by FT-IR Spectrometry and AssureID software

TCM materials are normally processed before being used clinically, and different processing methods lead to different medicinal effects. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia1 lists three processing methods for Coptidis Rhizoma. Coptidis Rhizoma processed by rice wine is used for toothache and conjunctivitis, while that processed by ginger juice or the extract of Corni Fructus is used as an anti-emetic and to comfort the stomach. These different processing methods do not bring about an obvious difference in the appearance of the herb, so it is important to develop an analytical method that is capable of distinguishing these materials. In terms of chemical composition, the differences between the raw and the processed herbs may be not as significant as those between different kinds of herbs, so we can expect to require a more careful analysis of the spectra using chemometric tools.