ABSTRACT
The different growing habitats of Bupleurum chinense were investigated in Donglin mountain & Wuling mountain areas, the saikosaponin a and d in samples of B. chinense collected from different habitats were determined by HPLC. Results showed that B. chinense distributed in various habitats, such as meadow, understory and brushy. Significant differences of saikosaponin contents were observed. The higher saikosaponins contents were showed in samples from meadow habitats, while the lower saikosaponins contents in samples from understory and brushy habitats. The ventilation situation and light condition showed positive correlation with the saikosaponins accumulation in B. chinense. It could be concluded that growing habitats play an important role in accumulation of saikosaponins in B. chinense.