Effects of Infection on the Accumulation of Steroidal Saponins in Rhizome of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis

Purpose To compare the differences of steroidal saponins content in healthy and susceptible rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, analyzing the effects of infection on the steroidal saponins content in rhizomes of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

Methods The contents of eight steroidal saponins ( Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅴ, Ⅵ, Ⅶ, H and slender dioscin) in the rhizomes of 121 healthy and 106 susceptible P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis were determined by high performance liquid chromatography, and the independent sample t-test analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to compare the differences of steroidal saponins content in the rhizomes of healthy and susceptible plants.

Results The total content of eight steroidal saponins in the rhizome of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis was mainly composed of polyphyllin Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅶ, accounting for about 71%; polyphyllin Ⅲ, Ⅴ, Ⅵ, H and slender dioscin were supplemented, accounting for about 29%. The total content of eight saponins in the rhizomes of susceptible P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis from 12 origins was higher than that of healthy plants. Except for Taian Township and Ludian Township of Yulong County, the other 10 origins showed significant differences between susceptible and healthy plants, of which seven origins showed an extremely significant differences. Based on the OPLS-DA analysis of eight saponin contents, the differential markers of healthy and susceptible P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis were polyphyllin Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅶ.

Conclusion Steroidal saponins content in the rhizomes of susceptible P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis is generally higher than that of healthy plant. When the plants of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis are subjected to biological stress, they may promote the synthesis and accumulation of steroidal saponins in rhizomes.