Effect of cultivation condition on the active component contents in Gentiana rigescens, a traditional Chinese medicine

The study aimed to determine the contents of secoiridoids activity compounds in different organs of Gentiana rigescens, and investigate the effects of growing age and cultivation method on the secoiridoids contents. The active compound contents in the root, the major medicinal part of G. rigescens, were higher than those in other organs. The active compounds contents in the leaf and flower were the highest among aerial parts. Effect of growing age and cultivation method on quality of the root was less significant than the aerial parts. The G. rigescens grown for 2 years could reach the requirement of the active contents in China.   Key words: Gentiana rigescens, chemical content, gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, sweroside.