Studies on Diversity of Diosgenin in Dioscorea nipponica Mak. from Different Places and Growth Years

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relations between the habitat,growth years and the content of diosgenin,for formulation of the Dioscorea nipponica's quality standard.METHODS The contents of diosgenin in Dioscorea nipponica Makino from different habitat and growth years were determined by HPLC.The contents were analyzed statistically SPSS16.0.RESULTS The calibration curve was linear(Y=1.711×10-7X+5.084×10-2,r2=0.999 9) in the range of 0.2～4.0 μg for diosgenin.48 Kinds of Dioscorea nipponica Makino were analyzed.The contents of diosgenin followed the normal distribution.The contents of diosgenin in 2 and 3 years Dioscorea nipponica Makino were higher than the 1 year Dioscorea nipponica Makino.CONCLUSION The difference of the contents of diosgenin in Dioscorea nipponica Makino,which derived in different habitat and places,is obvious.There are certain relations among the habitat,growth years and the content of diosgenin.The 2 years Dioscorea nipponica Makino was more suitable for harvesting.