Study on the Dynamic Accumulation of Secondary Metabolites in Coptis Chinensis Franch. in Different Growth and Development Period

OBJECTIVE To explore the dynamic accumulation of secondary metabolites in the genuine medicinal plant of Chongqing Coptis chinensis Franch. in different growth period in Shizhu county, and provide an experimental base for determination of optimal harvest time, GAP planting and quality control. METHODS The contents of epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine and berberine of 4-year-old Coptis chinensis Franch. collected in different growth development period were analyzed by HPLC. RESULTS The contet of epiberberine in sprouting stage was the highest(1.82%) and the lowest(1.33%) in winter dormant period; the contet of coptisine was the highest(3.86%) in new leaves flourishing period and the lowest(2.79%) in winter dormant period; the contet of palmatine was the highest(2.32%) in new leaves flourishing period and the lowest(1.69%) in winter dormant period; the contet of berberine was the highest(10.89%) in leaves slowly growing period and the lowest(8.28%) in winter dormant period. CONCLUSION The content of secondary metabolites in Coptis chinensis Franch. fluctuates with its growth and development; and the content of alkaloid in new leaves flourishing period, slowly growing period and sprouting stage is higher than that in the period of rhizome filling and winter dormancy. The optimal harvest time should be determined by both the production and the quality.