OBJECTIVETo analyze the natural change rule of active components of E. purpuea by measuring content of cichoric acid.

METHODReverse HPLC method was used.

RESULTThe maximum cichoric acid content of the roots occured in seedling age of May, and that of the flowers occured in blooming stage of mid July, but cichoric acid in stems was generally low anyway. The maximum content of cichoric acid in the plant above ground occured in the blooming stage of mid July.

CONCLUSIONThe measuring method of content of cichoric acid is successful and reliable. The optimum stage of harvest in Echinacea purpuea should be guided by natural change rule of cichoric acid content.

Caffeic Acids ; analysis ; Echinacea ; chemistry ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Seasons ; Succinates ; analysis