Abstract: In this study,the content of the main components in Epimedium was compared by UPLC-MS/MS analysis to explore the correlation between Epimedium quality, growth altitude and plant groups.The analysis was performed on a Phenomenex-C18 column (50 mm×2.1 mm,3 μm).The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (B) and 0.1% formic acid (A) were used for gradient elution.The flow rate was 0.2 mL/min.The ion source of MS were ESI with multiple reaction monitoring mode.A good linear relationship between icariin,epidemin A,epidemin B and epidemin C were found in the concentration range of 0.9959950.000,0.992-9920.000,1.021-10210.000 and 1.035-10350.000 ng/mL,respectively.The average recovery rate were 98.7%-101.2% and the RSD were 1.7%-2.4%.The result showed that the content of main components were significantly different in different species of Epimedium, and the content decreased with the increasing of elevation.The content of each components in small flowered taxa of Epimedium were significantly higher than the small flowered taxa.This methods were accurate,rapid,highly sensitive and suitable for the qualitative analysis of main component of Epimedium.

Key words: Epimedium, UPLC-MS/MS, altitude, plant groups, quality analysis