Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2011, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (6): 652-657.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1259.2011.00652

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Dynamic Changes in Terpenoid Contents in Gentiana rigescens

Tao Shen1,2, Meiquan Yang1, Zhenling Zhao1, Zhihui Zhang1, Yuanzhong Wang1, Hang Jin1, Jinyu Zhang1*, Yuehua Wang2*   

  1. 1Institute of Medicinal Plant, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650223, China

    2College of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
  • Received:2011-01-10 Revised:2011-06-29 Online:2011-11-01 Published:2011-11-18
  • Contact: ZHANG Jinyu,Yuehua Wang

Abstract: Gentiana rigescens is a traditional medicinal plant in China. We compared the contents of gentiopicroside, swertiamarin and sweroside in root, stem and leaf of G. rigescens in different growing seasons. The contents of the 3 active compounds in root of G. rigescens differed significantly from those in stem and leaf in different growing seasons. Gentiopicroside accumulated mainly in roots, whereas swertiamarin and sweroside accumulated in stem and leaf. Correlation analysis revealed that gentiopicroside content was affected by climate factors. Mean monthly temperature was negatively correlated with gentiopicroside content in stem and leaf (R=–0.57, P<0.01). Mean monthly rainfall was negatively correlated with gentiopicroside content in root, stem and leaf (R=–0.48, P<0.05 or R=–0.74, P<0.01). Sweroside content was positively correlated with swertiamarin content in root (R=0.62, P<0.01) and in stem and leaf (R=0.38, P<0.05). Therefore, gentiopicroside content in G. rigescens was affected by rainfall and temperature. The 3 active compounds in different parts of G. rigescens showed significant relationships. The most appropriate harvest time for G. rigescens is from September to November.