基于HPLC的大黄居群蒽醌类成分含量测定及品质评价研究

Objective: To provide a reference for the study of the geoherblism formation of rhubarb, the content of total anthraquinone and five free anthraquinone compounds of source plants of rhubarb collected from 27 populations of 11 provinces were determined. Methods: Amethyst C₁₈-H column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) was chosen, the mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.1% phosphoric acid water (85:15) with isocratic elution at a flow of 1.0 mL•min^-1, and the column temperature was 30°C. The detection wavelength was set at 230 nm. The results were analyzed using multiple statistical methods (e.g., principal components analysis (PCA), partial least squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA), orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) and cluster analysis). Results: The content of total anthraquinone and five free anthraquinone compounds was in accord with the standard of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and the rhubarb from different populations could be divided into two clusters, which is consistent with the traditional geoherb and the non-geoherb areas. In addition, the content of three compounds, namely aloe-emodin, emodin and rhein, in the geoherb areas were significantly higher than that of non-geoherb areas. Conclusions: There are significant differences among the anthraquinone content from different populations, which can be used as the index to evaluate geoheblism of rhubarb.