[Comparative study on chemical constituents of different parts of Saussureae Involucratae Herba]

This study aims to comprehensively analyze and compare the chemical constituents of different parts(stem, leaf, flower, and whole plant) of Saussureae Involucratae Herba using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) and to determine the content of key compounds(syringin, chlorogenic acid, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and rutin) using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) for an overall evaluation of the material basis of different parts. A total of 40 compounds were identified from different parts of Saussureae Involucratae Herba, including 11 flavonoids, 8 phenolic acids, 12 phenylpropanoids, 7 terpenoids, and 2 esters. The contents of syringin, chlorogenic acid, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and rutin were quantitatively determined across the different parts. All four active components were detectable in all parts, but their contents varied significantly in the order: leaf>whole plant>stem>flower. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of different parts of Saussureae Involucratae Herba and a comparative evaluation of the key active compounds, offering a chemical basis for the rational selection of medicinal parts. It also provides new insights for the resource protection and clinical use of Saussureae Involucratae Herba.