Abstract: In this paper, HPLC and spectrophotometry were applied respectively to study the contents of the syringin and total flavonoid, the two important secondary metobolites of Acanthopanax senticosus in three different habitats. The results as follow: The content of syringin in the different parts of A. senticosus varies according to the changes of habitats. The content of syringin of 1~3 year branches in the forest edge habitats is the highest, and then the forest gap habitats, but in the understory of the forest, the content is the lowest. In the contrary with the branches, the content of syringin in the basal stems is the highest in the understory habitats, and then the forest gap, but for the forest edge habitats, it is the lowest. The syringin content of the roots and rhizomes shows no distinctrule. All parts of A. senticosus contain flavonoids. The contents of total flavonoids of the leaves, flowers and young fruits are different in the three habitats. In the forest edge, the content of total flavonoid is the highest, and then the forest gap, but in the understory of the forest, the content is the lowest. The contents of the total flavonoid in the branches, stems, roots and rhizomes also vary with the changes of the habitats. There is no significantly difference of the total flavonoids in the 1~3 year branches between the three habitats. The content of total flavonoid in the stems of A. senticosus in the understory is higher than that in the forest gap and forest edge. But for the roots and rhizomes, the contents of total flavonoid, showing a contrary condition, is lower in the understory.

Key words: Acanthopanax senticosus, syringin, total flavonoid, HPLC, habitats