RESUMO
Objective: To study the relationships between HPLC fingerprint of Cichorium intybus extract and the uric acid lowering efficacy and to reveal the material basis of C. intybus. Methods: Quail were used in the experiment and high purine diet was used to induce hyperuricemia; In addition, the quail were administered with C. intybus water extract. The partial least squares (PLS) method was used to study the spectrum-effect relationships and to find out the material basis of uric acid lowering efficacy. Results: The aerial part of C. intybus has good uric acid lowering effect, and the contribution of various components in C. intybus with uric acid lowering effect was determined according to the variable importance in projection value. Among them, chlorogenic acid, chicory acid, and peaks of 3,6,7, and 8 have lager contribution degree than others. Conclusion: The PLS analysis on the spectrum-effect relationships indicates that uric acid lowering effect of C. intybus is related to the various components in C. intybus.