[Determination of flavonoids in different parts of five epimedium plants]

By means of RP-HPLC, nine major flavonoids in different parts of five Epimedium plants incorporated in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (1990 edn.) were analyzed. The result shows that the total contents of nine flavonoids in four species were rhizome and roots > leaves > stems. Nevertheless, in terms of composition of the main constituents and relative contents of the five species, the leaves are similar to the stems but different from the rhizome and roots. The difference may be reflected in their pharmaceutical effects and thus deserves attention.