RESUMO
Objective: To investigate the correlation between UPLC fingerprints of triglyceride (TG)-lowering fraction of Crataegus pinnatifida fruit and its efficacy. Methods: In vitro digestion model for TG was applied to screen the TG-lowering fraction of C. pinnatifida fruit. The fingerprints of TG-lowering fraction of 12 batches of hawthorn fruits from different habitats were established by UPLC. And the partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis was used to explore the correlation between peak areas of UPLC fingerprints and TG content. Results: Flavonoids rich fraction of C. pinnatifida fruit exhibited stronger TG decreasing activity than other fractions. Eleven common peaks of the active fraction were selected. Peaks 1 (procyanidins dimers B), 3 (procyanidins C1), 4 (procyanidins dimers B), 5 (rutin), 6 (hyperoside), 7 (isoquercitrin), and 8 (procyanidins dimers B) had positive effect on TG decreasing activity, while peaks 2 (epicatechin), 10 (quercitin), and 11 (5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid butyl ester) had negative effect. Conclusion: The TG-lowering effect is closely related to flavonoids.