ABSTRACT
Objective To study the dynamic change of polysaccharide from Asarum insigne in Guizhou during different harvest period and its hemostatic effect. Methods Asarum insigne polysaccharide was extracted by water isolation and alcohol precipitation. We measured the polysaccharide content by UV spectrophotometry after impurity and purification and detected the bleeding and clotting time by tail cutting and slide methods in mice. Results There was significant variation in polysaccharide content of Asarum insigne at different harvest time, which was at a higher level in June(1. 78%-1. 82%). The bleeding time in mice of normal control group was (6. 73±1. 21) min,and that in mice treated with refined polysaccharide at high dose was (4. 91±1. 58) min,the difference between two groups was statistically significant(P<0. 01). The clotting time in mice of normal control group was (7. 27±2. 09) min,and that in the refined polysaccharide at middle and high dose groups was (3. 96±1. 78) min and (3. 27±1. 61) min,respectively. The latter two groups were obviously different from the normal control group(P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). Conclusion The polysaccharide is an active hemostatic substance in Asarum insigne and the optimum harvest time of it is in June for the clinical use.