title: [Variation of icariin and total flavonoid of Epimedium acuminatum in different parts and habitats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Through comparative study on contents of icariin and total flavonoid of Epimedium acuminatum in different habitats and parts, the distribution and correlation of the two components were observed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four sample spots in four habitats were set up, and the whole plant of these samples was divided as following: leaf, root, stem and rhizome. Total flavonoid and icariin of samples were determined by using the UV method and the HPLC, respectively. The data was analyzed by SPSS 17.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The distribution of icariin in different parts had the pattern: leaf > root > stem > rhizome, the total flavonoid content was higher in leaf, but it showed no difference in other parts. Habitat had certain effect on icariin accumulation in E. acuminatum. The significant differences of total flavonoid content in E. acuminatum from different parts were not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The distribution of icariin from different parts and habitats has high selectivity. Metabolism and accumulation of flavonoid content in each part have no difference. Flavonoid content is less affected by environment. Considering the distribution of icariin and flavonoid content in every part and the growth strategy in different habitats comprehensively, it is reasonable to harvest the aerial part for the sustainable utilization of E. acuminatum.
authors.affiliation: Guiyang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550002, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xiaobo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lanping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Ge
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Weike
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.forename: Chenggang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D017753:Ecosystem; D034181:Epimedium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; C056599:icariin