ABSTRACT
Objective:To provide evidence and lay a foundation for quality control and resources utilization of Kochiae Fructus. Method:A total of 23 samples of Kochiae Fructus were collected from the main distribution areas in China. Momordin Ⅰc content was determined via HPLC-ELSD method, and its correlation with growth traits and habitat factors was analyzed using SPSS 23.0 software,as well as the principle component and clustering analysis. Result:Momordin Ⅰc content had a benign linear relationship with HPLC-ELSD peak area within the range between 29.8 mg·L-1 and 178.8 mg·L-1 (R2=0.999 8),with the quantitation limit at 5.79 mg·L-1 and the detection limit at 2.36 mg·L-1. Significant differences (PChinese Pharmacopeia published in 2015.Origin,growth traits,and habitat factors could impact momordin Ⅰc content accumulation in Kochiae Fructus. Moreover,the content had a negative correlation with plant height,stem diameter,leaf length,leaf width,fruit diameter and longitude,and a positive correlation with ratio of length to width of leaves,altitude and latitude. Those from Shanxi,Jilin,and Shandong provinces had a higher momordin Ⅰc content. The characters tested could be simplified to four principle components, and their cumulative contribution rate was 95.831%. Kochiae Fructus samples tested could be divided into four groups,and those from group Ⅰ had superior growth traits, and those from group Ⅲ had higher momordin Ⅰc content. Conclusion:The optimized HPLC-ELSD method for determining momordin Ⅰc content of Kochiae Fructus is convenient,accurate and reproducible,and could be used to control the herbs quality. Those cultivated in a lower longitude,higher altitude,and higher latitude region could accumulate more momordin Ⅰc content. More attention shall be paid to germplasm in Shanxi and Zhejiang with superior resources screening of Kochiae Fructus.