Objective  To establish a method for determining the total tannin content in different parts of Radix Paeoniae Alba using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, and a method for simultaneously determining the content of six components using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC).

Methods  With gallic acid as a reference substance, the contents of total tannins were determined by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. The contents of six active ingredients, namely gallic acid, catechin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, pentagalloyl glucose, and benzoylpaeoniflorin, in different parts of Radix Paeoniae Alba were simultaneously determined by UPLC. Using paeoniflorin as an internal reference, the results of quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) and external standard method (ESM) measurements were compared. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were employed to analyze the content of total tannins and six active ingredients.

Results  There were differences in each component in different parts of Radix Paeoniae Alba. The order of total tannins and total contents of 6 active ingredients from high to low were as follows: skin>rhizome>taproot. The order of paeoniflorin from high to low was as follows: rhizome>taproot> skin. There was no significant difference in the content of gallic acid, catechin, albiflorin, pentagalloyl glucose, and benzoylpaeoniflorin by QAMS and ESM. HCA, PCA, and OPLS-DA analysis could clearly distinguish different parts of Radix Paeoniae Alba, such as taproot, rhizome, and skin. Through OPLS-DA, catechin, total tannins, and pentagalloyl glucose were identified and screened as three key differential biomarkers.

Conclusion  The established method is fast, accurate, simple, efficient, and highly specific, providing a reliable basis for scientifically evaluating the quality of Radix Paeoniae Alba.

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