Objective: To determine lignan content in the vine stem of Schisandra chinensis during 12 months and provide the scientific basis for the development and utilization of the resources.
Method: Analysis was carried out on an Eclipse XDB C18 column eluted with a mixture of methanol-acetonitrile-water (43: 28: 29) as the mobile phase. The flowrate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), and the detection wavelength was set at 250 nm. Schisandrin, deoxyschizandrin and schisandrin B were used as reference substance, and the external standard method was used.
Result: The content of three constituents in the vine stem varied under different months. Schisandrin's maximum is 2.3 mg x g(-1) in December, minimum is 1.4 mg x g(-1) in April. A Deoxyschizandrin's maximum is 0.8 mg x g(-1) in November, minimum is 0.4 mg x g(-1) in March; Schisandrin B's maximum is 3.0 mg x g(-1) in January, minimum is 1.1 mg x g(-1) in April.
Conclusion: The collection seasons for the vine stem of S. chinensis are autumn and winter.