ABSTRACT
Objective To supply the basic research material for the optimal collecting time of Herba Andrographis. Methods A RP - HPLC method was used for the determination of Andrographolide and 14 - Deoxy - 11, 12 - didehy-droandrographolide from the stems and leaves of Herba Andrographis (cultured under GAP) in various growing periods on a Lichrospher RP - C18 (4. 6 mm? 250 mm, 5?m) column. The mobile phase was methanol - water (60:40), and the detection wavelength were set at 226 nm and 254 nm respectively. Results In different growing periods , contents of Andrographolide and 14 - Deoxy-11, 12 - didehydroandrographolide were higher in the sample collected in August and September. And for the same batch of sample, the contents in leaves are higher than those in the stems. Conclusion The phenophase from staminal time to pre - flowering period is the optimal collecting time for this herbal medicine, and leaves as medical part will be better than other parts.