Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore the differences in the main chemical compositions of the various medicinal parts of Rumex patientia growing in different years in Jilin City. The marsh in the forest wetlands along the Songhua River was selected as the location for collecting samples and various parts of R. patientia in different growth years. Methanol–silica gel adsorption, a simple, convenient, and applicable method, was used for extracting the anthraquinones of R. patientia. The differences in the main chemical compositions of the various parts of R. patientia in different growth years were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results indicate that the highest content of anthraquinones was found in R. patientia growing for 3 years or more, followed by that growing for 2 years and then the one growing for 1 year. The highest content of anthraquinones was found in the roots of R. patientia, with all three anthraquinones (emodin, chrysophanol and physcion) present. A large amount of chrysophanol was found in the seeds, stems and leaves, but less emodin and physicion. The content of chrysophanol was also compared among the seeds, stems and leaves, and it was found that the seeds had the highest content, followed by the stems and then the leaves. Also, the content of chrysophanol is highest in R. patientia, whereas that of physcion is the least. The different medicinal parts of R. patientia should be selected according to different objectives.

Key words: Rumex patientia, emodin, chrysophanol, physicion.