Content Analysis of Anthraquinones from Different Medicinal Parts of Cultivated Rheum palmatum L.

Objective To determine the content of free anthraquinons,total anthraquinons and combined anthraquinons from different medicinal parts of Rheum palmatum L.,and to provide scientific basis for quality assessment and reasonable utilization.Methods Agela Venusil XBP-C18(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) was used with methanol-0.1 % phosphoric acid solution(75∶25) as the mobile phase at the flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1,the wavelength was set at 254 nm,and the column temperature was set at 35 ℃.Results Five kinds of anthraquinons were all found in different medicinal parts of R.Palmatum L.,but their content varied.They were mainly distributed in the root,rhizome,fibrous root,leaves and seeds.The content was much higher in the root and rhizome than that in the other medicinal parts.The content of total free anthraquinon was the highest in fibrous root,and was higher in underground parts than that in aerial parts.The content of combined anthraquinon was the highest in leaves,and was higher in aerial parts than that in underground parts.The content of total anthraquinone from underground parts was slightly higher than that from the aerial parts.Conclusion The application of the medicinal parts of Rheum palmatum L.should be based on the practical needs.