Phytomedicine 18 (2011) 1291

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Phytomedicine

j ourna l ho mepage: www.elsev ier .de /phymed

Book review

Handbook of Chinese Medicinal Plants

Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, two volumes, Weici Tang,Gerhard Eisenbrand with the collaboration of K.-H. Merz, I.Hemm. 1282 pp. Wiley-VCH Verlag, 69469 Weinheim, ISBN 978-3-527-32226-8.

In the last two decades, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)has more and more been appreciated as a rich source for novellead structures with promise for the development of new thera-pies, including parasitic, inammatory, cognitive, malignant andother diseases. The authors are highly experienced specialists, hav-ing published already a rst comprehensive monograph on herbalTCM medications back in 1992. This pioneering book was receivedwith great attention (Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin, Springer)because it strictly followed rational, science-based characterizationof compounds and mechanisms.

The present two-volume handbook, covering scientic liter-ature up to 2009, follows the same systematics, focussing onchemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and biomolecular mecha-nisms, reelast decadeillustrated by Weici Tnese Pharmrelated memation. Thu

with about 3000 chemicals and 1500 structures of activeingredients supported by chemical, pharmacological and toxico-logical data and last but not least backed by some 8000 literaturecitations.

It is of great value that the authors not only comprehensivelydescribe based on solid scientic grounds pharmacological pro-les with underlying mechanisms but also give due attention totoxicology, especially with respect to mutagenic and potentiallycarcinogenic or tumour promoting properties of TCM agents. Theauthors underscore that such risks still exist for certain TCM med-ications and strongly suggest to rely on thorough risk-benetassessment in cases where the use of such medications is still con-sidered.

Altogether, this two volume handbook provides excellent andcomprehensive up to date science-based information on TCMmedications in a very well written and easy-to-follow way. Thishandbook may well become the standard reference for medicinalchemists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, pharmacists and medicaldoctors interested in TCM, for whom it is highly recommended.

The Wilnt la

form

0944-7113/$ doi:10.1016/j. see front matterphymed.2011.08.062cting the immense gain in knowledge witnessed in thes in this area. It describes 230 selected herbal items,with excellent plant drawings meticulously preparedang. Most of the herbs are listed in Vol. I of the Chi-acopoeia devoted to TCM medications (Pub. 2005), butdications are also included for comprehensive infor-s, the two volumes describe about 400 (sub)species

excellebetizedey-VCH publishers deserve the highest praise for theyout of the two volumes in its readily accessible alpha-at.

Fritz H. Kemper (Prof. Dr. H.c. mult.)Westflische Wilhelms-Universitt Mnster,Domagkstrae 11, 48149 Mnster, GermanyE-mail address: kemperf@uni-muenster.de