OBJECTIVETo determine lignan content in the vine stem of Schisandra chinensis during 12 months and provide the scientific basis for the development and utilization of the resources.

METHODAnalysis was carried out on an Eclipse XDB C18 column eluted with a mixture of methanol-acetonitrile-water (43: 28: 29) as the mobile phase. The flowrate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the detection wavelength was set at 250 nm. Schisandrin, deoxyschizandrin and schisandrin B were used as reference substance, and the external standard method was used.

RESULTThe content of three constituents in the vine stem varied under different months. Schisandrin's maximum is 2.3 mg x g(-1) in December, minimum is 1.4 mg x g(-1) in April. A Deoxyschizandrin's maximum is 0.8 mg x g(-1) in November, minimum is 0.4 mg x g(-1) in March; Schisandrin B's maximum is 3.0 mg x g(-1) in January, minimum is 1.1 mg x g(-1) in April.

CONCLUSIONThe collection seasons for the vine stem of S. chinensis are autumn and winter.