Integration of HPLC-based fingerprint and quantitative analyses for differentiating botanical species and geographical growing origins of Rhizoma coptidis.

Context:Rhizoma coptidisis a broadly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The investigation of the influence of species and geographical origins on the phytochemicals ofR. coptidisis crucial for its reasonable application and quality control. Objective:Development of an effective method to systematically study the phytochemical variations of the rhizomes of threeCoptisspecies (Ranunculaceae) (Coptis chinensisFranch,Coptis deltoideaC.Y. Cheng et Hsiao andCoptis teetaWall.) and a species (i.e.,C. chinensis) obtained from bothDaodiand non-Daodiproduction regions. Results:The three species had significant differences in their phytochemicals. The rhizome ofC. chinensiscontained more epiberberine (13.52 ± 2.65 mg/g), palmatine (18.20 ± 2.89 mg/g), coptisine (23.32 ± 4.27 mg/g) and columbamine (4.89 ± 1.16 mg/g), whereas the rhizomes ofC. deltoideaandC. teetashowed the highest level of jatrorrhizine (8.52 ± 1.36 mg/g) and berberine (81.06 ± 4.83 mg/g), respectively. Moreover, the rhizome ofC. chinensisfrom threeDaodiproduction regions (Shizhu, Lichuan and Emeishan) contained more alkaloids than those from three non-Daodiproduction regions (Mianyang, Shifang and Zhenping). Discussion and conclusion:It is necessary to use the threeR. coptidisspecies differentially in TCM clinical practice.Daodi C. chinensismedicinal materials have better quality than most non-Daodiones, and so they should be preferred for TCM prescription. The combination of HPLC-based fingerprint analysis and quantification of multi-ingredients with statistical analysis provided an effective approach for species discrimination and quality evaluation ofR. coptidis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]