ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the quality differences of medical material, raw decoction pieces, and processed products of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus. Methods: The raw decoction pieces and processed products were obtained from genuine medicinal materials of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus. The reasons for the quality differences were analyzed by comparing the contents of astragaloside IV, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, formononetin, total polysaccharides, saponins, and flavones. Results: With content analysis, the sequence was found as follows: astragaloside IV (medical material > raw decoction piece > honey-fried piece > alcohol-fried piece > salt-fried piece > fried piece); calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, formononetin, and total polysaccharides (medical material > raw decoction pieces > alcohol-fried piece > salt-fried piece > honey-fried piece > fried piece), total flavones (medical material > alcohol-fried piece > raw decoction pieces > salt-fried piece > honey-fried piece > fried piece), total saponins (medical material > honey-fried piece > raw decoction pieces > alcohol-fried piece > salt-fried piece > fried piece). Conclusion: The temperature and supplementary material may play the main roles for quality differences of A. membranaceus var. mongholicus.