Abstract:

Objective: To explore the effect of chemical components in Houttuynia cordata on the blocking of N-nitrosation reaction. Methods: UV-visible spectrum and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods were used to determine the chemical components including flavonoids, vitamin C, polyphenols, polysaccharides and 2-undecenal in Houttuynia cordata for exploring their blocking capabilities to N-nitrosation reaction. Results: The contents of chemical components in Houttuynia cordata from different areas did not exhibit an obvious difference. Although the content of total sugar exhibited an increase trend, other chemical components exhibited a declined trend during the extension of drying time. The contents of vitamin C, flavonoids and total polyphenols were positively correlated with the blocking rate of N-nitrosation reaction. However, the contents of 2-undecenal and total sugar had no correlation with the blocking rate. Conclusion: Houttuynia cordata can prevent human endogenous nitro-compound synthesis. The major components for influencing N-nitrosation reaction were flavonoids, vitamin C and polyphenols.

Key words: Houttuynia cordata, N-nitrosation reaction, flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamin C, locking effect