ISO 24902:2026

International
Standard
ISO 24902
First edition
Traditional Chinese medicine —
2026-08
Zanthoxylum nitidum root
Médecine traditionnelle chinoise — Racine de Zanthoxylum
nitidum
Reference number
© ISO 2026
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Description . . 1
5 Requirements and recommendations . 2
5.1 General characteristics .2
5.2 Morphological features of root.2
5.3 Microscopic identification .3
5.4 Thin-layer chromatogram (TLC) identification .3
5.5 Moisture .4
5.6 Total ash .4
5.7 Ethanol-soluble extractives .4
5.8 Heavy metals .4
5.9 Pesticide residues .4
5.10 Marker compounds .4
6 Sampling . 4
7 Test methods . 4
7.1 Macroscopic identification .4
7.2 Microscopic identification .4
7.3 Thin-layer chromatogram (TLC) identification .4
7.4 Determination of moisture .4
7.5 Determination of total ash .4
7.6 Toddalolactone identification .4
7.7 Determination of ethanol-soluble extractives .5
7.8 Determination of heavy metals .5
7.9 Determination of pesticide residues .5
7.10 Determination of marker compounds .5
8 Test report . 5
9 Packaging, storage and transportation . 5
10 Marking and labelling . 5
Annex A (informative) Thin-layer chromatogram (TLC) identification . 6
Annex B (informative) Determination of marker compounds by HPLC-UV . 8
Annex C (informative) Reference information of national and regional requirements .10
Bibliography .12

iii
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 249, Traditional medicine, Subcommittee SC 1,
Traditional Chinese medicine.
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complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
Zanthoxylum nitidum root (the Chinese Pinyin name: Liang-Mian-Zhen) is the dried root of Zanthoxylum
nitidum (Roxb.) DC., which is known in China as Liang-Mian-Zhen. It is mainly distributed in southern China
and Viet Nam. Zanthoxylum nitidum root and its products are sold in China, Japan, Thailand, Myanmar,
Singapore, Malaysia, the United States, Uganda, and many other countries. It is widely used in traditional
Chinese medicine for treating stomachache, toothache, rheumatic arthralgia, traumatic injury, and venomous
snake bites. Additional medical applications include the treatment of inflammations, various types of cancer,
bacterial and viral infections, gastric and oral ulcers, and liver damage.
Zanthoxylum nitidum root contains a variety of effective chemical components, including alkaloids,
coumarins, lignans, sterols, flavonoids, and volatile oils, among which alkaloids have the highest content,
accounting for about 0,7 %. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Zanthoxylum nitidum root has
anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant and anti-tumour effects. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic
effects of Zanthoxylum nitidum root are widely used in the treatment of bruises, stomach pain, toothache,
and rheumatism.
The alkaloids are the main active components of Zanthoxylum nitidum root. Nitidine chloride is one of the
most frequently used alkaloids in Zanthoxylum nitidum root to study its various pharmacological effects.
At the same time, studies have also shown that the alkaloids in Zanthoxylum nitidum root have a certain
degree of toxicity and can cause toxic effects such as hepatocyte toxicity, renal cytotoxicity, developmental
toxicity and cardiotoxicity.
On the market, the quality of Zanthoxylum nitidum root is uneven. There are forgeries and adulterations. The
common forgeries and confused products of Zanthoxylum nitidum root are the stem of Zanthoxylum nitidum
(Roxb.) DC. and roots from the plants of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam., Zanthoxylum armatum DC., Zanthoxylum
dimorphophyllum Hemsl. var. spinifolium Rehd.et Wils.
The quality evaluation of Zanthoxylum nitidum root in Chinese Pharmacopoeia has inspection items that are
different from Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC. prodr. var. tomentosum Huang.
The development of standards for the quality and safety control of Zanthoxylum nitidum root can provide a
reference for better development and use of Zanthoxylum nitidum root. Moreover, Zanthoxylum nitidum root
is ranked no. 94 in the priority list of single herbal medicines for developing standards in ISO/TR 23975.
[1]
Thus, it is essential to develop an International Standard for Zanthoxylum nitidum root to ensure the
consistency in the quality of Zanthoxylum nitidum root, which can contribute to the safe use of this herb and
also promote the international trade.
In this document, the identification of commonly adulterated species of Zanthoxylum nitidum root is also
introduced.
As national implementation can differ in different countries, national standards bodies are invited to modify
the values given in 5.8 and 5.10 in their national standards. Examples of national and regional values are
given in Annex C.
v
International Standard ISO 24902:2026(en)
Traditional Chinese medicine — Zanthoxylum nitidum root
1 Scope
This document specifies the minimum requirements and test methods for Zanthoxylum nitidum root.
This document applies to Zanthoxylum nitidum root sold and used as Chinese materia medica (whole
medicinal materials) and decoction pieces derived from this plant.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 18664, Traditional Chinese Medicine — Dete
...