title: [Accumulation dynamic of triterpenoid saponins in Akebia trifoliata stem].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In order to understand the accumulation dynamic of triterpenoid saponins in Akebia trifoliata stem to determine the suitable harvesting time and the growth age of stem.
  
  
  METHODS
  The contents of effective components, oleanolic acid and hederagenin in Akebia trifoliata stems, collected at the same growth condition of different growth ages and different harvesting time, were compared by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The accumulation period of oleanolic acid was from the first year to the sixth year, the content rose quickly in the seventh year, and reached the greatest at the ninth year, then declined quickly, the contents in stem of more than 10 years had no significant difference compared with that of 1 - 6 years. The content of herderagenin had no great change by the age of stem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comprehensive consideration,the triterpenoid saponins contents of the eight to nine years old Akebia trifoliata stems were higher. The most appropriate harvesting time for Akebia trifoliata was from later August to later September in the eighth years.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Normal University, Xi'an, China.  zhangzhen@snnu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Zhe-Zhi
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D009828:Oleanolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018547:Plant Stems; D012503:Saponins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012503:Saponins; D009828:Oleanolic Acid; C025763:hederagenin