Wang Wen-Xue, DU Xiao-Wei, Hou Bing-Yan, Zhu Hong-Ru, Yu Dan
School of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine Harbin 150040, China.
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2023 Apr;48(7):1815-1823. doi: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20230115.102.
It is generally believed that high-quality Bupleurum scorzonerifolium roots possess specific morphological characteristics, being red, robust, and long with strong odor. However, the scientific connotation of these characteristics has not been elucidated. According to the theory of "quality evaluation through morphological identification", we studied the correlations between appearance traits(the RGB value of root surface, root length, root diameter, dry weight, and ratio of phloem to xylem) and content of main chemical components(volatile oils, total saponins, total flavonoids, total polysaccharides, and seven saikosaponins) of B. scorzonerifolium roots. Epson Scanner and ImageJ were used to scan the root samples and measure the appearance traits. Ultraviolet spectrophotometry and HPLC were employed to determine the content of chemical components. The correlation, regression, and cluster analyses were performed to study the correlations between the appearance traits and the content of chemical components. The results showed that the content of volatile oils and saikosaponins were significantly correlated with RGB value, root length, and root diameter, indicating that within a certain range, the roots being redder, longer, and thicker had higher content of volatile oils and saikosaponins. According to the appearance traits and chemical component content, the 14 samples from different producing areas were classified into four grades, and the differences in morphological traits and chemical component content were consistent among different grades. The findings in this study demonstrate that appearance traits(RGB value, root length, and root diameter) can be used to evaluate the quality of B. scorzonerifolium roots. Meanwhile, this study lays a foundation for establishing an objective quality evaluation method for B. scorzonerifolium roots.
一般认为，优质的北柴胡根具有特定的形态特征，根呈红色、粗壮、长且气味浓郁。然而，这些特征的科学内涵尚未阐明。根据“形态鉴别评价质量”理论，我们研究了北柴胡根外观性状（根表面RGB值、根长、根直径、干重以及韧皮部与木质部比例）与主要化学成分（挥发油、总皂苷、总黄酮、总多糖以及七种柴胡皂苷）含量之间的相关性。使用爱普生扫描仪和ImageJ扫描根样本并测量外观性状。采用紫外分光光度法和高效液相色谱法测定化学成分含量。进行相关性、回归和聚类分析以研究外观性状与化学成分含量之间的相关性。结果表明，挥发油和柴胡皂苷的含量与RGB值、根长和根直径显著相关，表明在一定范围内，根颜色越红、越长且越粗，挥发油和柴胡皂苷的含量越高。根据外观性状和化学成分含量，将来自不同产地的14个样本分为四个等级，不同等级之间形态性状和化学成分含量的差异是一致的。本研究结果表明，外观性状（RGB值、根长和根直径）可用于评价北柴胡根的质量。同时，本研究为建立北柴胡根客观质量评价方法奠定了基础。
