To investigate the elements of quality difference in Campsis flos based on multi-index content, and to comprehensively evaluate the quality of Campsis flos from different producing areas based on multi-index content.

Eighteen batches of Campsis flos were collected from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and other producing areas. The contents of verbascoside, isoacteoside, apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, rhamnocitrin, maslinic acid, hederagenin, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, water-soluble extract, total ash and acid-insoluble ash in Campsis flos were used as quality evaluation indexes, the differences from different producing areas were analyzed and characterized by statistical methods. 13 quality evaluation indexes were statistically analyzed by two mathematical models of chemometrics and grey relational analysis (GRA), and the ranking information of the quality of Campsis flos from different producing areas was obtained.

There were some fluctuations in the contents of 13 indexes in Campsis flos from different producing areas, and the established multi-index quantitative method was accurate and feasible. The results of quality evaluation model showed that 18 batches of Campsis flos were divided into three groups according to the origins. Oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, quercetin and verbascoside were the main factors affecting the quality of Campsis flos. The quality of Campsis flos from Jiangsu was better.

There are differences in the content of multiple indexes in Campsis flos from different origin. The established quality evaluation method can distinguish Campsis flos from different origins, and specifically identify the different components, so as to provide reference for the quality evaluation of Campsis flos (including those from different producing areas).