To evaluate the quality differences of four mainstream species of Berberidis Cortex,~1H-NMR metabolomics was applied to detect its primary and secondary metabolites, and the partial least squares discriminant analysis and analysis of variance were integrated to screen differential metabolites between species. Furthermore, diabetic rat model was established by high fat diet and streptozotocin to assess differences in antidiabetic activities among the four species. Sixteen compounds were simultaneously detected and identified, including alkaloids, organic acids, carbohydrates and amino acids. Interspecific difference markers were revealed as magnoflorine, jateorhi-zine, bufotenidine and saccharose for the first time. Berberis vernae and B. kansuensis presented superior activities on reducing blood glucose level, improving insulin resistance, increasing insulin sensibility and anti-inflammation. B. dictyophylla showed moderate antidiabe-tic effect, while B. diaphana rendered inferior antidiabetic capacity. Based on the contents of four differential markers and the results of antidiabetic activity evaluation, the quality of four Berberidis Cortex species was ranked as B.vernae≈B.kansuensis>B. dictyophylla>B. diaphana. These results provided references for species collation, quality standard establishment and exploitation of Berberidis Cortex. The antidiabetic activities of B. vernae and B. kansuensis as well as their mechanisms of action merit further study in the future.
Keywords: Berberidis Cortex; multiple species; quality evaluation; type 2 diabetes; ~1H-NMR metabolomics.