OBJECTIVETo compare the contents of flavonoids in axial root and lateral root of Scutellaria baicalensis, and study their correlation.

METHODThe contents of 5 major flavonoids, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A, were determined in axial root and lateral root of S. baicalensis by HPLC. The correlation and regression analysis between the contents of flavonoids in the lateral root and whole root was carried out.

RESULTThe contents of baicalin and wogonoside showed no significant difference among upper part and lower part of the axial root, lateral root and whole part of the root. The contents of baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A showed a significant difference between upper part and lower part of the axial root. There was only the content of wogonin existing significant difference between lateral root and whole part of the root. The results of the correlation and regression analysis indicated that the contents of flavonoids in the lateral root and whole root were significant positively correlated, the coefficient of determination for all components were quite higher, except for wogonin.

CONCLUSIONThe contents of flavonoids are uniformly distributed in axial and lateral root of S. baicalensis. The contents of flavonoids in lateral root could be used to estimate the content of the whole root. The result could be useful for breeding and preserving excellent germplasm at the system breed process for S. baicalensis.