Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: By using high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection, a simple and accurate chromatographic fingerprint method was developed for the identification of Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae ( roots and rhizomes of Gentiana ) from different sources. Sixteen herbs of Gentiana from different habitats in China, including roots and rhizomes botanically from Gentiana scabra and Gentiana rigescens, were analyzed by the fingerprint technique. The amount of gentiopicrin was calibrated and was slightly higher in roots and rhizomes of G. scabra compared with that of G. rigescens. Based on the fingerprint results, hierarchical clustering analyses were performed to classify the 16 herbs into two groups: G. scabra and G. rigescens. This clustering analysis agrees with the pharmacognostic identification result, which could be used as a tool for the quality control of Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae.

Key words: Fingerprint, Gentiana scabra, Gentiana rigescens, Gentianaceae, Quality assurance.