ABSTRACT
This paper is aimed to establish the method of fingerprint analysis of chemical constituents by reversed-phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) for the quality control of the roots and rhizomes of Panax ginseng (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma). The method was performed on a ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 (50 mm x 2.1 mm ID, 1.7 microm) with a mixed mobile phase of water and acetonitrile in a gradient mode. The flow rate was 0.3 mL x min(-1) and the wavelength of measurement was 203 nm. Eleven batches of the Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma were determined. The UPLC chromatographic fingerprints of chemical constituents were established from the eleven batches of the Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and showed fifteen characteristic common peaks, among which fifteen peaks were recognized and nine compounds (ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rf, Rg2, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3 and Rd) were determined by comparison with chromatographic behaviors and UV spectra of the authentic compounds. The eleven batches of samples were classified as two clusters by hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principle component analysis (PCA), and six samples were confirmed to establish the mutual model. The quality was assessed by similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of TCM (2004B Version). The convenient and high specific method can be used to identify and evaluate the quality of the Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma.