Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: For the quality evaluation of the raw materials of Echinacea species cultivated in China, the contents of 5
marker compounds in 31 samples botanically identified as E. purpurea (L.) MOENCH., E. angustifolia DC. or
E. pallida (NUTT.) NUTT. were determined by HPLC; these were 3 caffeoyl conjugates, i.e. cichoric acid,
echinacoside and chlorogenic acid, and two stereo-isomers of alkamide, i.e. dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10E/Ztetraenoic
acid isobutylamide. The samples from three Echinacea species showed a great difference in the
chemical composition of the caffeoyl phenols. The contents of 5 marker compounds in 7 samples of E.
purpurea were lower in comparison with those from German or Australian sources described in previous
reports. A detailed analysis on the distribution of the 5 marker compounds in different parts of E. purpure as
well as their variations during flowering demonstrated that the capitula accumulated high concentrations of
the caffeoyl phenols and alkamides, and that the content of caffeoyl phenols varied markedly with the
different seasons. These results may be helpful not only for the standardization of the raw materials of E.
purpurea as well as other two E. species from Chinese markets, but also in helping with their selection and
cultivation in China.

Key words: Echinacea species, dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10E/Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide, cichoric acid, echinacoside, Echinacea purpurea, seasonal variation, HPLC