Abstract: The objectives of this study were to improve the method of quality evaluation on Flos Sophorae Immaturus (FSI) and to evaluate qualities of FSI from different producing areas.The contents of moisture,total ash,acid-insoluble ash,extract and total flavonoids in FSI were determined using methods in the Pharmacopoeia (published in 2015).HPLC was used to determine contents of rutin,narcissin,quercetin and isorhamnetin.Then,cluster analysis and principal component analysis were conducted by software of SPSS 20.0.The contents of moisture,total ash,and acid-insoluble ash in 54 batches of FSI were all in accord with demands of Pharmacopoeia.The contents of extract and flavonoids of FSI collected from Southern region were generally higher than those from Northern region.Fifty-four batches of FSI were divided into 3 clusters according to cluster analysis and principal component analysis,and there was a great relationship between the classification results and the region.The qualities of FSI from 54 producing areas in China were evaluated in this study,which could provide experimental basis for the product development of FSI.

Key words: Flos Sophorae Immaturus, quality evaluation, cluster analysis, principal component analysis