[Analysis of contents of berberine in Coptis chinensis of Lichuan].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the contents of berberine in Coptis chinensis of Lichuan and establish its best cultivation scheme.


METHODS
We used high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure the contents of berberine at different altitude, growth age, and leaves.


RESULTS
Analytic data showed that the growth age and firry woods shading did not affect the contents of berberine in rhizome of Coptis chinensis. Low altitude was more suitable for Coptis chinensis to synthesize berberine. The contents of berberine in rhizome of Coptis chinensis with floral leaf were higher than those with lusterless and lustrous leaves, but no significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
The synthesis of berberine is closely correlated with shading conditions. It is recommended that the shading ratio should be reduced or the sheds removed in the middle growth age (2-3 years), and then the herb should be reshaped at the last year to enhance the synthesis of berberine, so as to obtain high-quality Coptis chinensis in the harvest.
Guo
Zhi-Gang
ZG
Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. Guozhig@tsinghua.edu.cn
Lin
Zhao
Z
Sun
Rui-Qiang
RQ
Sun
Su-Qin
SQ
Wang
Li-Qun
LQ
D000531:Altitude; D001599:Berberine / Q000032:analysis*; D002681:China; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D039323:Coptis / Q000737:chemistry*; D017753:Ecosystem; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D027343:Rhizome / Q000737:chemistry; D013472:Sunlight; D013997:Time Factors
D001599:Berberine