The radix of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (RAS) is widely used in medicinal and dietary applications in China, and has the function for replenishing and invigorating the blood, stopping pain and moistening the intestines. In this study, RAS from the main geoherb regions showed better efficacy in inhibiting Adenosine diphosphate‐ or arachidonic acid‐induced platelet aggregation than those from non‐geoherb regions. In addition, the HPLC fingerprints of 30 batches of RAS, as part of the comprehensive evaluation of RAS, were established and used for spectral efficiency to screen the quality markers for anti‐platelet aggregation activities. Five compounds in RAS—senkyunolide I, uridine, guanine, ferulic acid and adenosine—were demonstrated to contribute significantly to the anti‐platelet aggregation activity. These bioactive compounds, especially senkyunolide I and ferulic acid with stronger activities, could be used as quality markers of RAS for quality control of RAS.

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Glycyrrhiza glabra L., known as licorice, is one of the most famous herbs in the world. In this study, we investigated the phytochemical and antitumor activities of G. glabra, especially its anti-colorectal cancer activities. G. glabra was extracted with 70% methanol, and the ethyl acetate layer was separated by silica gel, ODS, LH-20 column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC to obtain the compounds. The structures were determined by NMR and MS methods. Three new compounds named licopyranol A-C (1–3), and eighteen known compounds (4–21) were isolated. Compounds with an isoprenyl group or dimethylpyran ring showed better antitumor activities. Licopyranol A (1) and glycyrol (5) both inhibited the proliferation, reduced clone formation and promoted apoptosis of RKO cells. The Western blotting assays showed that glycyrol significantly reduced the expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, c-Myc, and GSK-3β proteins in RKO cells, suggesting that glycyrol may inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer RKO cells via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.