[On origin of Oviductus Ranae in Chinese Pharmacopoeia]

OBJECTIVE To discuss the problem about the origin of Oviduetus Ranae in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia according to historical documents, the researches reported recently and the author research. METHOD Through comprehensive analysis of the documents and materials reported, the original animal sources of Oviduetus Ranae was discussed in terms of historical records, morphology, karyotype, Ag-Belt and isoenzyme electrophoresis, gene levels and so on. RESULT AND CONCLUSION The original animal sources of Oviduetus Ranae is Rana dybowskii,its order element is an effective species in China. In order to avoid the problem of species confusion about the origin of Oviduetus Ranae, author suggests that R. dybowskii should be the original animal of Oviduetus Ranae.