Analysis and Quality Evaluation of Multiple Types of Chemical Components in Trichosanthis Pericarpium from Different Producing Areas and Strains

OBJECTIVE To analyze the multiple types of chemical constituents in the Trichosanthis Pericarpium from different producing areas and strains，then to provide the data support for their resource utilization. METHODS  Twenty-two batches of Trichosanthis Pericarpium were collected from eight different areas， with nine strains. UPLC-MS/MS method was employed to simultaneously determine the contents of thirty-nine chemical components， including sugars， nucleosides， amino acids， flavonoids， triterpenes， and so on. Principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to comprehensively evaluate the differences in producing areas and strains of Trichosanthis Pericarpium. RESULTS The average contents of fructose and glucose in Trichosanthis Pericarpium were 14.78% and 8.14%， respectively. Ten nucleosides and eighteen kinds of free amino acids were detected. The average total amounts of nucleosides and free amino acids were 0.57 mg/g and 37.71 mg/g， respectively. Six flavonoids and three triterpenoids were detected， and the average total amounts were 0.58 mg/g and 0.01 mg/g， respectively. PCA showed that， based on the 39 analytes， the quality of Trichosanthes kirilowii from different areas and strains was quite different. Trichosanthis Pericarpium from Hebei province presented significant differences from those in other producing areas. The main different components of which were amino acids and luteoside. CONCLUSION Resource components types in Trichosanthis Pericarpium from different producing areas and strains show little differences， but the contents of these components exhibit significiant differences. The total amounts of resource components and medicinal components in Trichosanthis Pericarpium from traditional medicinal producing areas of Trichosanthes kirilowii with part strains， are higher than those in other producing areas. The results provide references for clinical medication selection and comprehensive utilization of Trichosanthes kirilowii from different areas and strains.