OBJECTIVETo analyze the distribution of chemical constituents in different parts of Changium smyrnioides.

METHODThe content of polysaccharides, mannitol and choline was determined by colorimetry and the water-soluble components was determined by HPLC. similarity coefficient of water-soluble components was calculated by the included angle cosine method.

RESULTThe Contents of chemical constituents were significantly different between the leaves and the roots. The contents of choline and polysaccharides in the roots was higher than those in the leaves, but the contents of water-soluble extract and physiological ash in the leaves was higher than those in the roots. Contents of chemical constituents were also significantly different at different segments in the root, which decreased from the upper to the lower parts, increased from the outside to the inside parts except physiological ash, and the difference in horizontal segments was higher than that in vertical segments. Total peak area of water-soluble components in the leaves was 2.81 times higher than that in the roots, and gradually increased from the outside to the inside parts.

CONCLUSIONTotal content of chemical constituents in the leaves was significantly higher than that in the roots. The quality of medicinal used parts decreased gradually from the inside to the outside parts and from the upper to the lower parts in the root of Ch. smyrnioides.