Abstract:

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the medicinal values of the roots and rhizomes of Radix Codonopsis.
Methods: HPLC fingerprints for the roots and rhizomes of Radix Codonopsis were established, and their contents of total
polysaccharides, total saponins, total amino acids and fat-soluble components were analyzed. Results: The similarity in
HPLC fingerprints between the roots and rhizomes of Radix Codonopsis was more than 96%. Total polysaccharides were
the main components of both parts, with the contents being 40.74% and 27.64% in the roots and rhizomes, respectively.
The contents of both total polysaccharides and total saponins were lower in rhizomes than in roots. Total amino acids and
fat-soluble components were more abundant in rhizomes than in roots. Conclusion: The two parts of Radix Codonopsis
had similar chemical components, while the rhizomes contained lower contents of medicinal components such as total
polysaccharides and total saponins but higher contents of total amino acids and fat-soluble components than the roots. Thus,
Radix Codonopsis rhizomes could be developed as a good source of functional food ingredients.

Key words: fingerprint, rhizomes, polysaccharide, amino acid, nutritional value