ABSTRACT
Objective:To comprehensively evaluate the quality of Herba Clematidis Intricatae through HPLC multi-index components, chemometrics combined with EW-TOPSIS. Methods:A total of 18 batches of Herba Clematidis Intricatae samples from seven provinces were collected. Contents of luteolin-7-O-glucoside, rutoside, hyperoside, quercitrin, quercetin, luteolin, apigenin and kaempferol in Herba Clematidis Intricatae were simultaneously determined by HPLC. Chemometrics method was used to comprehensively analyze the content determination results, and the main potential markers affecting the quality of Herba Clematidis Intricatae were analyzed. The quality of Herba Clematidis Intricatae from different origins was evaluated. Results:The eight components showed good linear relationships within their respective ranges ( r≥0.999 1), and accuracy was good ( RSD<2.0%). The chemometrics method showed that 18 batches of Herba Clematidis Intricatae could be clustered into 3 categories, showing certain regional differences. Rutoside, hyperoside and luteolin-7-O-glucoside were the indicative components affecting the difference of chemical constituents in Herba Clematidis Intricatae; results of EW-TOPSIS method showed that the optimum quality of Herba Clematidis Intricatae from Inner Mongolia and Liaoning, followed by those of Hebei, Shanxi and Shanxi, and lowest in Qinghai and Gansu. Conclusion:The established HPLC method is convenient and accurate, and combined with chemometrics and EW-TOPSIS method can be used for the comprehensive evaluation of the quality of Herba Clematidis Intricatae.