Simultaneous determination of eleven volatile components in Cinnamomi Oleum by GC-MS / 中国中药杂志

A gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry(GC-MS) method was established for the simultaneous determination of eleven volatile components in Cinnamomi Oleum and the chemical pattern recognition was utilized to evaluate the quality of essential oil obtained from Cinnamomi Fructus medicinal materials in various habitats. The Cinnamomi Fructus medicinal materials were treated by water distillation, analyzed using GC-MS, and detected by selective ion monitoring(SIM), and the internal standards were used for quantification. The content results of Cinnamomi Oleum from various batches were analyzed by hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA), principal component analysis(PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) for the statistic analysis. Eleven components showed good linear relationships within their respective concentration ranges(R~2>0.999 7), with average recoveries of 92.41%-102.1% and RSD of 1.2%-3.2%(n=6). The samples were classified into three categories by HCA and PCA, and 2-nonanone was screened as a marker of variability between batches in combination with OPLS-DA. This method is specific, sensitive, simple, and accurate, and the screened components can be utilized as a basis for the quality control of Cinnamomi Oleum.

Dynamic changes of total acid and bacterial communities during the traditional fermentation of Hong Qu glutinous rice wine

Background: Hong Qu glutinous rice wine (HQGRW) is brewed under non-aseptic fermentation conditions, so it usually has a relatively high total acid content. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of the bacterial communities and total acid during the fermentation of HQGRW and elucidate the correlation between total acid and bacterial communities. Results: The results showed that the period of rapid acid increase during fermentation occurred at the early stage of fermentation. There was a negative response between total acid increase and the rate of increase in alcohol during the early fermentation stage. Bacterial community analysis using high-throughput sequencing technology was found that the dominant bacterial communities changed during the traditional fermentation of HQGRW. Both principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that there was a great difference between the bacterial communities of Hong Qu starter and those identified during the fermentation process. Furthermore, the key bacteria likely to be associated with total acid were identified by Spearman's correlation analysis. Lactobacillus, unclassified Lactobacillaceae, and Pediococcus were found, which can make significant contributions to the total acid development (| r| N 0.6 with FDR adjusted P b 0.05), establishing that these bacteria can associate closely with the total acid of rice wine. Conclusions: This was the first study to investigate the correlation between bacterial communities and total acid during the fermentation of HQGRW. These findings may be helpful in the development of a set of fermentation techniques for controlling total acid.

Hierarchical clustering analysis application in research performance appraisal of university affiliated hospital / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective The research aims to optimize the hospital research performance appraisal ,clarify the scientific characteristics and possible shortages of different clinic departments in various types ,to enhance the effectiveness of research performance appraisal .Methods Descriptive statistics were used to generalize hospital research performance appraisal in 2017 . Hierarchical clustering was used to cluster and analyze performance appraisal characteristics of 75 clinic departments .Results SCI papers (405) ,National projects (181) and National core journal papers (106) took 75 .2％ of total average score .The op-timal solution of the cluster was 6 types for 75 departments and the dendrogram illustrated significant varieties among the 6 types .Six departments' types were academic-conference-oriented ,national-paper-oriented ,SCI-paper-oriented ,advanced-pro-ject-oriented ,provincial/horizontal-project-oriented and attending-conference-oriented .The percentages of the oriented indica-tors that took their total average scores were 59 .4％ ,42 .0％ ,66 .7％ ,57 .0％ ,61 .8％ ,52 .3％ .Conclusions Compared with K-means method ,the results of hierarchical clustering equipped with better characteristics and interpretative power .Research performance appraisal has been further optimized .Departments in different types showed significant characteristics and weak-nesses ,which provides managers with effective guidance on countermeasures .

Phenotypic Characterization and Genetic Diversity of Sugarcane Varieties Cultivated in Northern Karnataka of India based on Principal Component and Cluster Analyses

Abstract: Sugarcane is a major commercial crop grown in India and across the world. Hence, several elite varieties have been developed now-a-days to overcome many obstacles including abiotic stresses and diseases. The present study was undertaken to screen genetic variation among twenty four sugarcane varieties that are commonly cultivated across Northern Karnataka, India with reference to physicochemical characters. Experiment was conducted in triplicate following randomized complete block design (RCBD) at S. Nijalingappa Sugar Institute, Belagavi, Karnataka, India during February 2016-17. Physiological parameters such as internode length, stalk height, plant height, stalk girth, number of internodes, single cane weight, single cane volume of juice, cane yield and recovery were investigated. Further, statistical techniques such as principal component analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering were performed to characterize the twenty four varieties. Among twenty four sugarcane varieties studied, Co 86032 and CoC 671 were found to be elite varieties with respect to sugar recovery and cane yield, whereas varieties such as Co 86032 and Com 0265 were found to be best with respect to cane yield only. Based on the results obtained, eight varieties, viz., Co SNK 09232, Com 0265, Co 86032, Co SNK 09293, Co SNK 07680, CoC 671, Co 13006 and Co 2001-15 were found to be good with respect to overall qualities. Further studies need to be involved with molecular marker that would help in identification of elite varieties which could substantially contribute to construction of genetic resources library that may in turn find maximum use in molecular breeding.

Hplc fingerprint and chemical pattern recognition of valeriana jatamansi / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish the HPLC fingerprint of Valeriana jatamansi and provide a reference for its effective quality control. METHODS: The HPLC-DAD analysis was performed on Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm), with acetonitrile (A)-0.1% formic acid (B) solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution, the detection wavelength was set at 327 nm (0-33 min) and 256 nm (33-90 min), the flow rate was 1.0 mL•min-1, and the column temperature was maintained at 30 ℃. The fingerprints of 25 batches of Valeriana jatamansi samples were analyzed by similarity analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). RESULTS: The fingerprints of 25 batches of Valeriana jatamansi samples were established. There were 36 common peaks in the fingerprints and nine common peaks were identified by reference substances. The fingerprints similarity of 18 batches of samples was over 0.9, and the samples were classified into two groups. Six components were the main markers that cause differences in different batches of samples, including valepotriate, acevaltrate, isochlorogenic acid A, and some others. CONCLUSION: HPLC fingerprint combined with recognition of chemical pattern can reflect the intrinsic quality of Valeriana jatamansi, which may provide reference for the quality control and evaluation of Valeriana jatamansi.

Quality Evaluation of Ningxinbao Capsules Based on Combinative Method of HPLC Fingerprint, Quantitative Analysis of Multi-components and Chemometrics / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE： To establish a quality evaluation method of Ningxinbao capsules based on HPLC fingerprint, quantitative analysis of multi-components and chemometrics. METHODS： The fingerprint of Ningxinbao capsules was established by HPLC. Six common peaks were identified as uracil, hypoxanthine, uridine, adenine, guanosine, and adenosine by comparison with reference substances, and their contents in samples were simultaneously determined. The chemometrics methods such as hierarchical clustering heat map analysis and principal component analysis were used to evaluate the quality of Ningxinbao capsules from different manufacturers based on the results of fingerprint and content determination. RESULTS： The similarity of samples from 27 different manufacturers ranged from 0.656 to 0.997. Hierarchical clustering heat map analysis and principal component analysis showed that the samples from 27 different manufacturers were clearly divided into two categories. The main influencing factors were fingerprint similarity and the contents of uridine, guanosine and total nucleosides. Different sources of raw materials were the main reasons for the quality differences between samples from different manufacturers. The purity of strain in raw materials was the key factor affecting the quality of Ningxinbao capsules. CONCLUSION： The method is accurate and reliable, and it can be used to control and comprehensively evaluate the quality of Ningxinbao capsules.

Flavonoids rather than alkaloids as the diagnostic constituents to distinguish Sophorae Flavescentis Radix from Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma: an HPLC fingerprint study / 中国天然药物

Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Sophora flavescens Ait., SFR) and Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma (S. tonkinensis Gapnep., STR) are two commonly used traditional Chinese medicines from Sophora (Leguminosae) plants, which are believed to possess similar bioactive components with entirely different clinical applications. In order to find out the characteristic chemical constituents potentially leading to the unique medicinal properties claimed for each of the two closely related TCMs, an HPLC fingerprint method was developed for analyses of the alkaloid and flavonoid constituents of SFR and STR, respectively, which were further evaluated and compared through similarity calculation and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). The results from the present study showed that the alkaloid fingerprints of the two herbs were similar, with many components co-existing in both drugs and various batches of samples from different species being mixed together in the HCA dendrogram. However, their flavonoid constituents were totally different with specific fingerprints being yielded for each herb, and further HCA analysis showed that the tested samples could almost be clearly divided into two groups based on their origins of species. The results from the present study indicated that the flavonoid constituents could serve as the differentially diagnostic constituents of SFR and STR and might potentially attributed to their distinct therapeutic effects.

Analysis on multiple pharmaceutical ingredients and antioxidant capacities of Prunellae Spica based on multivariate statistical analysis / 中国中药杂志

Prunellae Spica is a perennial edible and medicinal plant, rich in antioxidant substances. Total flavonoids (TFC), Phenolics (TPC), triterpenoids (TSC), polysaccharides (PC) and their antioxidant capacities (by the FRAP, DPPH and ABTS⁺ methods) of ethyl acetate fraction, n-butanol fraction and other fractions of aqueous extract from Prunellae Spica were investigated in this study. Then the multivariate statistical method was adopted to analyze the relationship between the multiple pharmaceutical ingredients and antioxidant capacities of Prunellae Spica. The results showed that ethyl acetate fraction had relatively high concentration of TFC (0.61±0.10) g·g⁻¹DW, TPC (0.52±0.09) g·g⁻¹DW, and TSC (0.21±0.03) g·g⁻¹DW, with high scavenging capacity of DPPH (3.1±0.38) mmol·L⁻¹·g⁻¹DW and FRAP (2.56±0.35) mmol·L⁻¹·g⁻¹DW. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) results indicated the information from chemical compositions and antioxidant capacity can represent the "differences" of different fractions. Canonical correlation analysis (CCorA) revealed a high positive correlation between the amounts of multiple chemical compositions and the antioxidant capacities (r=0.970 0), and the first canonical variate had been reached. Moreover, ABTS⁺ method showed a low response to the compositions of different fractions, so this method may not be suitable for evaluation of Prunellae Spica antioxidant capacities, while DPPH evaluation method was more suitable for TSC and TPC. The results of this study have important reference significance for the evaluation method on antioxidant activity of Prunellae Spica in the field of food or medicine as well as for the development of related extracts.

Flavonoids rather than alkaloids as the diagnostic constituents to distinguish Sophorae Flavescentis Radix from Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma: an HPLC fingerprint study / 中国天然药物

Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Sophora flavescens Ait., SFR) and Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma (S. tonkinensis Gapnep., STR) are two commonly used traditional Chinese medicines from Sophora (Leguminosae) plants, which are believed to possess similar bioactive components with entirely different clinical applications. In order to find out the characteristic chemical constituents potentially leading to the unique medicinal properties claimed for each of the two closely related TCMs, an HPLC fingerprint method was developed for analyses of the alkaloid and flavonoid constituents of SFR and STR, respectively, which were further evaluated and compared through similarity calculation and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). The results from the present study showed that the alkaloid fingerprints of the two herbs were similar, with many components co-existing in both drugs and various batches of samples from different species being mixed together in the HCA dendrogram. However, their flavonoid constituents were totally different with specific fingerprints being yielded for each herb, and further HCA analysis showed that the tested samples could almost be clearly divided into two groups based on their origins of species. The results from the present study indicated that the flavonoid constituents could serve as the differentially diagnostic constituents of SFR and STR and might potentially attributed to their distinct therapeutic effects.

Fingerprint study of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora by UPLC coupled with chemometrics method / 中草药

Objective To establish the UPLC fingerprint for effective quality control and scientific evaluation of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora. Methods The analysis was performed on Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm), using acetonitrile-0.5% glacial acetic acid aqueous solution as mobile phase for gradient elution, with the flow rate at 0.3 mL/min, the column temperature at 32 ℃, and the detection wavelength at 295 nm. Total of 25 batches of P. scrophulariiflora and its adulterants were analyzed. Similarity evaluation combined with hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal components analysis (PCA) were used to evaluate the quality of herbs from different batches. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography- quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used for qualitative analysis in the positive and negative ion modes. Results There were significant differences in fingerprint chromatogram among P. scrophulariiflora and its adulterants. There were 16 common peaks in UPLC fingerprint of 22 batches of P. scrophulariiflora, and 12 peaks among which were carried out for chemical components identification with the similarity at 0.939-0.998. Twenty-two samples could be classified into three clusters. The PCA result was consistent with that of HCA. The four symbolic compounds in samples were verified by PLS-DA analysis, which identified that No.1, 12, 9 peaks were picroside I, picroside III, and scrophenoside C. Conclusion The establishment of UPLC fingerprint and the recognition of chemical pattern of P. scrophulariiflora can provide a more comprehensive reference for the quality control of herbs.

Research on differentiated marketing strategy of ASEAN market for development of Chinese patent medicine based on principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering method / 中草药

With high-tech, high added-value, and independent intellectual property rights, Chinese patent medicine (CPM) is one of the most important exporting categories in Chinese materia medica (CMM), and its overseas development has become an important symbol of international recognition for CMM. With the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and the acceleration of bilateral economic integration, CMM trade between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is facing with great potential and opportunities. ASEAN market is bound to be a vital breakthrough in the globalization of CPM and has strategic significance for its transnational operation. Since ten member countries of ASEAN have obvious differences in their economic development, market size, and medical and health levels, this paper aims to establish evaluation index system, further subdivide the ASEAN market by means of principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering method, and put forward different marketing strategies for each segmented markets including developed market, emerging market, potential market, and secondary market, hoping to provide useful advice and reference for the globalization of CPM in ASEAN or even in European and American main market.

Comprehensive evaluation of Yiqi Fumai Injection quality by UPLC-Q-TOF- MSE fingerprint and chemical pattern recognition / 中草药

Objective To establish a UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE fingerprint of Yiqi Fumai Injection (YQFM) for providing reference for visual, easy and overall control of its quality. Methods The chromatographic separation was performed on a Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T3 (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) column with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid for gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.3 mL/min, and the column temperature was 30 ℃. The capillary voltage was set at 2.5 kV. The nebulization gas was set to 800 L/h at 400 ℃, and the source temperature was 100 ℃. The BPC obtained with negative ion ESI mass spectra were selected for the fingerprint analysis. Similarity evaluation was used to evaluate the quality of YQFM from different batches. Based on the intensities of the ions for common peaks, HCA and PCA were performed using SPSS 19.0 and Simca-P software. Results The UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE fingerprint of YQFM was established by using 28 batches of sample and 18 common peaks were found, of which 15 mutual peaks from Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma rubra, three mutual peaks from Ophiopogonis Radix. Compared with the reference substances and references, 16 of the common peaks were identified and the similarity of 28 batches samples were over 0.970. 28 batches of YQFM could be divided into four grades when the sum of squared Euclidean distance is 5-10 in the result of HCA; PCA got seven principal components through dimension reduction and accumulative contribution rate reached 84.989%. By fitting the load factor model of the first principal component, ten markers greatly impacting on the quality were found. The comprehensive evaluation function of YQFM in different batches was constructed according to the principal component score. Among 28 batches of YQFM, the comprehensive score of S28 was the best, closely followed by S22, S11 and S9, while S14 and S13 was the worst. Conclusion The utilization of UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE fingerprint coupled with chemical pattern recognition could objectively and effectively assess the quality of YQFM, can provide a more comprehensive reference for the quality control of YQFM.

Content Analysis and Comparative Study of Amino Acids in Ejiao from 18 Manufacturers / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for quality evaluation of Ejiao. METHODS:The contents of 17 amino acids in 18 batches of Ejiao from 18 manufacturers were analyzed by automatic amino acid analyzer;the content data was processed by prin-cipal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA),in order to understand the relationship among these amino acids and categorize the Ejiao products. RESULTS:Except for a batch of Ejiao,the other 17 batches contained 17 various amino acids,including 7 necessary amino acids(Thr,Val,Met,Ile,Leu,Phe and Lys)for human being,especially the contents of Gly and Pro were higher. The total content of amino acids was arranged from 66.1% to 82.0%,showing great difference. Four main components were extracted by PCA,the cumulative contribution of which was 89.578%,and accordingly it may be consid-ered that Pro,Ala,Glu,Asp,Leu,Ile and Thr were characteristic amino acids of Ejiao products. In hierarchical clustering analy-sis,3 tree figures of commercial Ejiao product were achieved and Euclidean distance was varied among 0-25. CONCLUSIONS:There is great difference in total control of amino acid in commercial Ejiao product;Ejiao products from various manufacturers dif-fer in their amino acid contents. Ejiao is rich in collagen,and therefore,using amino acid determination would be helpful to moni-tor its quality.

Study on fingerprint analysis of Xihuang Pills by HPLC-ELSD / 中草药

Objective: To establish the quality evaluation of fingerprints of Xihuang Pills by HPLC-ELSD. Methods: The chromatography conditions were defined as waters C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm); Mobile phase was methanol-0.5% acetic acid, gradient elution; temperature of column was set at 30℃. The ELSD conditions were as follows: the temperature of drift tube was 45℃, the gas speed was 1.5 L/min. Ten batches of Xihuang Pills samples were analyzed for similarity analysis (SA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principle component analysis (PCA). Results: The chromatographic fingerprint was completed with 25 recognizable peaks, and the samples with great differences and the compounds with greater impact on the quality were obtained through HCA and PCA. Conclusion: HPLC fingerprint combining with pattern recognition could reflect the intrinsic quality to provide a scientific basis for the quality control of Xihuang Pills.

HPLC Fingerprint Analysis of Caulis of Chimonanthus nitens Combined with Chemometrics Method / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of the caulis of Chimonanthus nitens and evaluate the product quality by chemometrics analysis method. METHODS: The method was developed on an Amethyst C18-H column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm)by gradient elution with acetonitrile-water (containing 0.1% formic acid) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 mLmin-1. The column temperature was maintained at 28℃, and the detection wavelength was set at 254 nm. The main characteristic peaks was identified by comparing the retention time and UV absorption characteristics. Then 10 batches of the caulis of Chimonanthus nitens were evaluated by similarity assay, HCA, and PCA. RESULTS: The HPLC fingerprint of the caulis of Chimonanthus nitens was established and three main peaks were identified. The similarity of 10 batches of the caulis of Chimonanthus nitens was about 0.978 0 to 0.991 9. CONCLUSION: The established method can be used for the quality control of the caulis of Chimonanthus nitens.

Fingerprint of Sarcandrae Herba by UPLC coupled with chemometrics methods / 中草药

To establish the UPLC fingerprint for effective quality control of Sarcandrae Herba. The fingerprint of Sarcandrae Herba was developed with ultra-performance liquid chromatography, and the Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) was used in the gradient elution with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water (both containing 0.1% formic acid): The flow rate was 0.5 mL/min, the column temperature was 35℃, and the detection wavelength was at 330 nm. Similarity evaluation combined with hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal components analysis (PCA) were used to evaluate the quality of herbs from different areas. The fingerprint of Sarcandrae Herba was established with good precision, reproducibility, and stability obtaining within 23 min, and nine peaks in the fingerprint were designed. Eighteen samples could be classified into two clusters. The PCA result was consistent with the HCA. A brief list of five differential compounds is presented, including rosmarinic acid, newchlorogenic acid, and so on. The establishment of UPLC fingerprint of Sarcandrae Herba and the application of chemical pattern recognition can provide a more comprehensive reference for the quality control of herbs.

UPLC fingerprint of Paeoniae Alba Radix from different regions / 中草药

Objective: To establish a UPLC fingerprint method of Paeoniae Alba Radix, and provide comprehensive evaluation of their quality in different regions. Methods: The UPLC chromatographic column was Acquity UPLC® HSS T3 (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm). The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid water with gradient elution. The detection wavelength was 230 nm and column temperature was 30 ℃ with the flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Similarity analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, and principal component analysis were undertaken to study 23 sets of UPLC fingerprints of Paeoniae Alba Radix. Results: A specific UPLC fingerprint of Paeoniae Alba Radix was established and eight common peaks were designated. The results showed that the qualities of the 23 sets of Paeoniae Alba Radix were not stable and the samples collected from same region and different regions both had certain differences. Conclusion: UPLC fingerprint is an available and convenient method which can be used to access the quality of Paeoniae Alba Radix rapidly.

Study on Identification Method of 7 Kinds of Sulfates Mineral Medicines by Near-infrared Spectroscopy / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

To establish seven kinds of minerals containing sulfate kind of near infrared spectral identification method of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). 7 species of mineral medicine containing sulfate after crushing sieving, measure all the samples in 12 000-4 000 cm-1 section within the scope of the near infrared spectrum, spectrum signal by different pretreatment methods, after the screening of the different characteristics of the spectrum to extract the effective information, using cluster analysis method for qualitative identification. In 8 600-8 100 cm-1, 5 843-4 245 cm-1, 7 096-6 337 cm -1 section within the scope of the atlas signal after the vector normalization and multiple scattering correction, K-average clustering analysis to 20 batches sulfate kind of mineral medicine is divided into seven categories, the results of the analysis method and the traditional traits identification results are basically identical. This method is simple, fast, and can be used for these minerals containing sulfate class the qualitative identification and quality control of Chinese traditional medicine.

HPLC fingerprint and chemical pattern recognization of Kudiezi injection / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method to establish the fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicines Kudiezi injection by HPLC, and Assess the quality of Kudiezi injection by chemical pattern recognization techniques. METHODS: HPLC method was used to establish Kudiezi injection standard fingerprint consisting of 15 common peaks and 14 compounds were identified. The fingerprint was further analyzed by chemometric methods including similarity analysis (SA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS: The similarity of 14 batches of Kudiezi injection was greater than 0.94. The samples were clearly classified into two groups by using PCA and HCA, respectively, and the results of classification were consistent. CONCLUSION: The developed method of chromatographic fingerprint is noval, simple and reliable. The results indicate that the chemical pattern recognization is suitable for the analysis of fingerprint data, which can be applied as one measure for the quality evaluation of Kudiezi injection.

Identification and quantification of sesquiterpenes and polyacetylenes in Atractylodes lancea from various geographical origins using GC-MS analysis

A convenient and sensitive GC-MS method was developed to identify thirteen sesquiterpenes and polyacetylenes (e.g. caryophyllene, γ-elemene, α-caryophyllene, β-selinene, isoledene, germacrene B, elixene, atractylone, hinesol, β-eudesmol, atrctylodin, atractylenolide II and acetylatractylodinol) in Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC., Asteraceae. Among those compounds, four major components including atractylone, hinesol, β-eudesmol and atrctylodin were quantified with standards; contents of other components were estimated by using calibration curve of hinesol. In this study, we presented that the concentrations of those thirteen components varied drastically in A. lancea samples from different producing areas. Among those components, atractylenolide II and acetylatractylodinol were identified by GC-MS for the first time. A hierarchical clustering analysis based on relative peak areas of those thirteen components in total ion current (TIC) profiles was used to characterize A. lancea samples from different producing areas. Further clustering analysis showed that a simplified method with only four major bioactive components could be used to serve the same aim.