[Studies on saponin accumulative in regularities Panax notoginseng (Burk) F. H. Chen].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal harvest time for P. notoginseng through studying the changes of saponin contents with growth periods. METHODS: P. notoginseng samples were collected from the experimental plot regularly, and then the contents of total saponin and some main single saponins were analyzed by HPLC. RESULTS: Total saponin contents decreased from April through July, and increased from August through December. CONCLUSION: The optimal harvest time is determined as from October through December, which corresponds to the traditional harvest time.