Variation and distribution and saikosaponin in Bupleurum falcatum L

Variation and distribution of saikosaponin were studied for Bupleurum falcatum, originated from seven different regions. There were differences in saikosaponin content among cultivars and cultivation year. The saikosaponin content in roots of one-year-old plants for the cultivar fro Ibaraki (Tsukuba) was higher than for the cultivars from Shizuoka, Ibaraki (Yasato), Fukuoka, Jeongseon and Kumamoto. Two-year-old plants had more xylem area than one-year-old plants as 26.1% and 23.2%. Saikosaponins were predominantly produced in phloem tissues regardless cultivation year. Total saikosaponin content was higher in the upper part of a root than lower part of a root. It was higher in lateral roots than main roots