ABSTRACT
Objective: By examining the secondary metabolites content changes of the low temperature stressed Arnebia euchroma suspension cells to explore the effects of unique environmental factors in genuine regional areas on A. euchroma in non-genuine regional areas. Methods: After stressing A. euchroma suspension cells for 24 h at 4 ℃, rosmarinic acid, lithospermum acid, shikonofuran A, shikonofuran E, acetylshikonin, deoxyshikonin, β,β'-dimethylacryl shikonin, isovalerylshikonin, and total shikonin compounds were measured by HPLC on six time points, one of which was before the stress and counted as 0 h, and others were in 12, 24, 48, 72, and 168 h after the stress. Results: The results showed that the different time points after low temperature stress, similar compounds had the same consistent change trends basically. However, the contents had significant differences. In addition to DAS, the maximum value of all the chemical ingredients were in low stress group. Conclusion: Low temperature stress can promote the accumulation of secondary metabolites in A. euchroma suspension cells, and have an important role in revealing the mechanism of the formation of its genuineness.