ABSTRACT
<b>Objective::To establish the HPLC fingerprint of aqueous extract of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, and research the spectrum-effect relationship in diabetic cognitive dysfunction rats. <b>Method::The HPLC fingerprints of 21 batches of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium were established, with acetonitrile (A)-0.1%of phosphoric acid (B) as the flow phase for gradient elution. The detection wavelength was 270 nm. Acomparative analysis was performed for the results based on similarity evaluation, SPSS 24.0 two-dimension clustering analysis and SIMCA 14.1 principal component analysis of fingerprint software. Thediabetic rat model wasduplicated by one-time intraperitoneal injection with streptozotocin (STZ) at the dose of 50 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>. After successful replication of the model, thediabetic rats were given aqueous extract of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium by gavage. The blood glucose value was determined at regular intervals. The cognitive function was analyzed with Morris water maze experiment at the 12 week. Grey relational analysis (GRA) and partial least squares regression analysis were used to study the spectrum-effect relationship. <b>Result::Totally 16 common peaks of water extract of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium were confirmed, five substances were identified, and 21 species of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium of different varieties and origins were divided into 2 categories. Compared with the model group, the blood glucose of rats in each group treated with water extract of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpiumwere reduced, and their cognitive function was improved.According to the grey correlation analysis and the least partial square regression analysis, the peaks No. 19, 15, 4, 17 and 6 were significantly correlated with the cognitive function of diabetic rats. <b>Conclusion::There were some differences in aqueous extract of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium between different varieties and origins. It is convenient and fast to make a comprehensive quality evaluation of aqueous extract of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium of different varieties and producing areas by stoichiometry, and aqueous extract of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium can reduce the blood glucose level and improve the cognitive function of diabetic cognitive dysfunction rats, its mechanisms of action are resultedfrom the joint effects of multiple effective components, and peaks No. 19, 15, 4, 17 and 6 are components closely related to the cognitive function of diabetic rats.