Correlation Between Functional Components in Codonopsis pilosula Roots and Soil Factors / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between the content of 4 functional components in Codonopsis pilosula roots from different areas and soil factors， and thereby to lay a theoretical basis for soil ecological regulation and improvement of quality of C. pilosula roots. MethodThe content of lobetyolin， atractylenolide Ⅲ， alcohol extract， and polysaccharides， as well as soil fertility and 16 soil factors in 24 batches of samples from different producing areas were determined. Principal component analysis （PCA） and Pearson's correlation analysis were used to explore the key soil factors leading to the variation of chemical component content in C. pilosula roots. ResultThe content of lobetyolin and atractylenolide Ⅲ in samples from Longxi was the highest， and the content of polysaccharides peaked in samples from Huguan. The content of lobetyolin was in positive correlation with soil total nitrogen， total phosphorus， total potassium， alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen， and available potassium （P<0.01）， as well as soil organic matter， pH， available manganese， and available zinc （P<0.05）. There was a positive correlation between pH and atractylenolide Ⅲ content （P<0.05）. Soil total potassium was in positive correlation with alcohol extract and polysaccharide content （P<0.01）. Soil available zinc was positively correlated with alcohol extract and the polysaccharide content （P<0.05）. Sample sites with higher PCA scores were Pingshun， Huguan， and Longxi， which were significantly positively correlated with the content of polysaccharides in C. pilosula roots in different habitats. ConclusionThe content of functional components in C. pilosula roots can be improved by raising soil organic matter content and applying specific fertilizers.

Application of Relative Quality Constant in Grade Evaluation of Codonopsis Radix Slices / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To establish the grade evaluation method for Codonopsis Radix slices based relative quality constants， in order to provide scientific theoretical basis for grading of Codonopsis Radix slices. Method:Through literature and market research，the main production areas of Codonopsis Radix slices were determined，and 67 batches of Ludangshen slices（52 batches） and Baitiaodang slices （15 batches） were collected. The appearance traits （average quality and average thickness of Codonopsis Radix slices） were observed and measured. According to Chinese Pharmacopoeia （2015 edition）， the extract and the content of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide was determined by phenol-sulphoacid method. Then the relative quality constant was calculated，and the results of grade evaluation were evaluated through systematic cluster analysis and correlation analysis. Result:Relative quality constants of 67 batches of Codonopsis Radix slices were between 0.32-2.97. If these samples were divided into three grades：the first-grade relative quality constants were greater than or equal to 2.08，the second grade was greater than or equal to 0.89 but less than 2.08，while the third grade was less than 0.89. The results of systematic cluster analysis showed that 67 batches of Codonopsis Radix slices were clustered into 3 categories，and the results were basically consistent with the classification. The correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the content of the extracts and the polysaccharide content （P<0.05）. Conclusion:This method links the extrinsic characteristics to the intrinsic quality，and objectively grade Codonopsis Radix slices， so as to provide a basis for its grade standards.

Tending of wild Heterosmilax yunnanensis / 中国中药杂志

To minimize the predatory harvest of Heterosmilax yunnanensis and maintain the sustainable utilization of its resources, a study on the tending technology of wild H. yunnanensis was carried out. The results showed that the tuber tending model had a higher seed emergence rate, shorter growth period and easier control of male and female ratios than other tending models; by removing shrubs, topping, bending pruning, controlling insects and pests and other effective technical measures, the growth period of H. yunnanensis was shortened; the average annual net income of the tending area was 1 086 yuan/mu (1 mu≈666.67 m²), which was 86.9% higher than before. This study was conducive to increasing the yield and quality of H. yunnanensis in Karst landform area, and instructive for the tending of other wild traditional Chinese medicinal herbs in this area.