ABSTRACT
Objective To study HPLC fingerprints of Radix Glycyrrhizae from different habitats, develop the method of hierarchical cluster analysis by using the results of fingerprints, and discuss regional effect on accumulation of active ingredients of Radix Glycyrrhizae. Methods HPLC Fingerprint analysis method of active ingredients was developed and the method had been evaluated. Based on the standardized result of peak area of glycyrrhizin, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, and isoliquiritigenin, seventeen batches of Radix Glycyrrhizae were classified and identified using hierarchical cluster analysis. Results The methodological evaluation showed that this method had a good repeatability. The amounts of glycyrrhizin and flavones in Radix Glycyrrhizae from various habitats are different. Conclusion Accumulation of active ingredients of Radix Glycyrrhizae has some relativity with habitats.