Multivariate statistical analysis of tropane alkaloids in Anisodus tanguticus (Maxim.) Pascher from different regions to trace geographical origins

Anisodus tanguticus (Maxim.) Pascher is an important Tibetan folk medicine and the source of tropane alkaloids (TAs) grown in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. There are marked differences in quality of A. tanguticus from geographic areas. The aim of present research was to establish a method for the quantitative analysis of TAs coupled with chemometrics analysis to trace geographical origins. Qualitative analysis of TAs in A. tanguticus was carried out using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and quantitative analysis of TAs in different plant organs from different geographical origin was achieved. Contents of TAs were subjected to the principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis. The contents of the three marker compounds (anisodamine, anisodine and atropine) in the roots and acrial parts of A. tanguticus were positive correlated and varied significantly from different geographical origins. Principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis results showed excellent discrimination between different geographical origin of A. tanguticus. This study could provide comprehensive evaluation and further utilization of A. tanguticus resources.