Multivariate statistical and comparison analysis of chemical constituents in Arenaria kansuensis Maxim. from different regions in Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau

• Published in: Phytochemical analysis 2021-09, Vol.32 (5), p.794-803
• Main Authors: Liu, Zenggen, Li, Mingzhu, Tao, Yanduo, Olsen, Richard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaloids; Analytical methods; Arenaria; Arenaria kansuensis Maxim; chemometric analysis; Constituents; content variation; Fingerprints; Flavones; Flavonoids; Herbal medicine; Herbs; High performance liquid chromatography; Liquid chromatography; multivariate statistical analysis; phytochemical constituents; Phytochemicals; Quality control; Statistical methods
• ISSN: 0958-0344; 1099-1565
• DOI: 10.1002/pca.3025

Introduction Arenaria kansuensis Maxim. (AKM) is one of the most valued medicinal and edible herbs widely used in Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau and there is also a large number of AKM bioactive constituents for health benefits of human beings. However, few works have referred to phytochemical content, fingerprint analysis and quality control of AKM. Therefore, the establishment of validated analytical methods is urgently needed for fingerprint comparison and quantitative analysis of AKM multicomponent. Objectives To determine quantitatively and compare the phytochemical constituents of AKM located at different areas. Methodology The chemical constituents in AKM samples were separated, identified, and quantified by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector. The discrimination and separation models for the chemical constituents were developed by chemometric analysis. Results The flavones and β‐carboline alkaloids were rich in AKM herbs, and the overall pattern of phytochemical profiles was the same, while the significant differences were detected in the total flavonoids, total β‐carboline alkaloids and individual contents, especially the predominant compounds such as tricin and arenarine B. This demonstrated that ecogeographical origin gave an important impact on phytochemical compositions which could be considered as reliable parameters for classifying the AKM resources. Moreover, the contents of AKM constituents were higher in July and/or August than other months of the year, and there were no significant differences in the main phytochemical contents between cultivated and wild AKM herbs. Conclusion This study could provide credible data and method for geographical origin trace, comprehensive evaluation and further utilization of AKM resources. The flavones and β‐carboline alkaloids were rich in AKM herbs. Significant differences of the chemical contents were found in 15 batches of wild AKM, however, the cultivated and wild AKM presented similar contents of phytochemicals. Chemometric analysis allowed a clear separation of AKM based on the geographical origins.