ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the content of chlorogenic acid, total flavones, and anti-oxidant activity in Flos Lonicerae japonicae and Flos Lonicerae obtained from three different origins and compare their differences. Methods The optimized extraction conditions of chlorogenic acid were ultrasonic extraction 30 min in 65 ℃ with ethanol: water (60︰40) and solid-liquid ratio (1︰20). The optimized extraction conditions of total flavonoids were ultrasonic extraction 30 min at 65 ℃ with 60% methanol solution, solid-liquid ratio (1︰10). HPLC and UV spectrophotometry were used to determine the content of chlorogenic acid and total flavonoids in the samples, and then estimation of anti-oxidative activity of Flos Lonicerae japonicae and Flos Lonicerae by DPPH radical scavenging capacity method. Results A method for the analysis of chlorogenic acid and total flavonoids was established, which have a good linear relationship of chlorogenic acid in 0.119-1.190 mg/mL and R2 was 0.999 2 (n = 6); A good linear relationship between 0.008 and 0.050 mg/mL and r2 was 0.999 5 (n = 6) for analysis of the total flavonoids. The average content of chlorogenic acid, total flavonoids, and free radical scavenging rate of Flos Lonicerae from Hunan Province was 3.99%, 13.43%, and 62.41%, respectively. The average content of chlorogenic acid, total flavonoids and free radical scavenging rate of Flos Lonicerae from Chongqing were 3.29%, 10.08%, and 51.48% respectively. The average content of chlorogenic acid, total flavonoids, and free radical scavenging rate of Flos Lonicerae japonicae from Guangxi Province were 2.55%, 7.10%, and 39.51%, respectively. Conclusion This study proposed an analytical method combining the chemical composition analysis and anti-oxidant activity to compare the differences between the different producing areas of Flos Lonicerae japonicae and Flos Lonicerae. Combining the “spectrum-effect”, it provides a new model for the quality control and identification of two plants.