Relationship between alkaloid contents and growth environment of Yimu Cao(Herba Leonuri)
10.3321/j.issn:1673-4254.2000.06.006
- VernacularTitle:益母草药材中生物碱含量与产地生态环境的关系
- Author:
Zhi CHAO
1
;
E-Zhou WANG
;
Xiu-Jia ZHOU
Author Information
1. First Military Medical University
- Keywords:
Yimu Cao;
Leonurus artemisia;
crude drug quality;
growth environment
- From:
Journal of Southern Medical University
2000;20(6):504-506
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To study the relationship between alkaloids contents in Chinese traditional drug Yimu Cao ( the dried aerial parts of Leonurus artemisia ) and its growing environment. Methods Samples of the herb and the soil at its growing site were collected from 5 selected geographic regions. Reference literatures were reviewed and on-the-spot investigation conducted to understand the growth environment. RP-HPLC was performed to determine the alkaloid contents in the herb. Results Different regions had different environmental conditions, including the climate, soil, vegetation etc. Regardless of the soil, barren or fertile at the growing site, the herb of L. artemisia could grow well, but the contents of alkaloid in the herb varied greatly. The herb produced in 2 northern regions, where the soil is alkaline, had higher content of alkaloid (about 0.4%) than that produced in southern regions (0.1%~0.2%), where the soil is acidic. Conclusions The contents of organic matters, effective phosphorus, quick-acting potassium, and the pH value of the soil at the growing site were the factors that correlates with the alkaloid contents in the herb, among which the pH value of soil was the most important positive correlating factor. The alkaline soils in the north benefit the accumulation of alkaloids more than the acidic soils in the South does. The other probable factors affecting the alkaloid contents in Yimu Cao was the climate and genetic factors.
