Correlation Analysis Between Active Ingredients Contents and Soil Factors in Peucedani Radix

OBJECTIVE To explore the correlation between the active ingredients of Peucedani Radix and soil factors, and to provide a basis for the artificial cultivation of Peucedani Radix. METHODS Total coumarin, ethanol-soluble extraction, Praeruptorin A, Praeruptorin B, Praeruptorin E and 7-hydroxycoumarin of 30 habitats of Peucedani Radix samples from 9 provinces had been determined. In addition, 7 fertility indexes and 10 microelement indexes of soil samples were determined. Principal component analysis, cluster analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and grey relational analysis were carried out to reveal the key soil factors that affect the content of effective components of Peucedani Radix. RESULTS The cluster analysis showed that soils from 30 different habitats could be divided into two groups. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the most relevant factors of 6 effective contents were total potassium, organic matter, pH value, cation exchange capacity and available phosphorus, respectively. And except that manganese content was negatively correlated with total coumarin, the rest were positively correlated. The grey correlation analysis indicated that the key soil factors affecting the active components of Peucedani Radix were the contents of zinc, iron, copper, total phosphorus, total sodium, cation exchange capacity and pH value.CONCLUSION The results suggests that the content of Peucedani Radix coumarin can be regulated by appropriate control of soil organic matter content and application of specific inorganic fertilizer in the production practice. The research can provide scientific reference and theoretical basis for the quality and effectiveness for clinical use of Peucedani Radix, and improving rational usage as well.