Objective To evaluate the quality of Urtica laetevirens from different producing areas based on multi-index quantification, combined with chemical pattern recognition technology, weighted TOPSIS and grey relational analysis(GRA) fusion model. Methods A total of 20 batches of U. laetevirens were collected from the main producing areas. The contents of protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, hyperoside, rutin, quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin, daucosterol, β-sitosterol were detected by HPLC, and the extract, total ash and acid-insoluble ash were examined. Combined with chemical pattern recognition technology, the differences between U. laetevirens from different producing areas were discussed, and the main landmark components leading to the quality differences of U. laetevirens from different producing areas were screened. The weighted TOPSIS model was constructed with the VIP value of each index as the weight, and then integrated with the GRA method to rank the quality of 20 batches of U. laetevirens. Results Under the established HPLC conditions. The linear ranges of protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, hyperoside, rutin, quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin, daucosterol, β-sitosterol showed a good linear relationship within the range of 0.21—10.50, 1.15—57.50, 0.28—14.00, 0.46—23.00, 3.35—167.50, 4.47—223.50, 1.70—85.00, 0.14—7.00, 0.37—18.50, 0.79—39.50, 0.65—32.50, 1.31—65.50 μg/mL, respectively. The established method had good repeatability and high instrument precision. The stability of the sample solution of nettle extracted by 70% methanol ultrasonic extraction was good within 24 h. The average recovery rates of each component were 98.43%, 97.91%, 98.24%, 99.06%, 100.03%, 99.68%, 100.01%, 97.81%, 98.92%, 98.23%, 96.77% and 98.34%, respectively. The RSD was between 0.73% and 1.86%. The contents of various components were 0.66—0.129, 0.270—0.577, 0.093—0.184, 0.164—0.281, 1.440—2.465, 1.911—3.204, 0.331—1.188, 0.036—0.106, 0.078—0.209, 0.187—0.456, 0.196—0.418, 0.383—0.613 mg/g, The contents of extract, total ash and acid-insoluble ash were 14.3%—31.5%, 7.3%—16.2%, 0.5%—3.4%, respectively. It showed that the quality difference between batches was large. The 20 batches of U. laetevirens samples were divided into three groups by chemical pattern recognition technology, among them, S1—S8 from Sichuan, Gansu and Yunnan, S9-S14 from Guangxi, Guizhou and Hunan, and S15—S20 from Qinghai and Xizang were each group, showing obvious regional characteristics. The marker components that distinguish the quality differences of each sample were rutin, hyperoside, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, luteolin and β-sitosterol. The analysis results of weighted TOPSIS and GRA fusion model showed that the comprehensive relative closeness of 20 batches of samples was between 0.285 4 and 0.673 6. The comprehensive relative closeness of S15—S20 samples from Qinghai and Xizang were 0.652 2, 0.663 3, 0.628 3, 0.673 6, 0.597 0 and 0.583 7, respectively, which was higher than that of other batches, and the quality was relatively better. Conclusion The established multi-index quantitative method is stable and reliable, which can be used to perfect the quality standard of U. laetevirens. The chemical pattern recognition combined with weighted TOPSIS and GRA fusion model comprehensively and scientifically evaluated the quality of U. laetevirens from different producing areas, laying a foundation for the quality analysis and evaluation of U. laetevirens.

Urtica laetevirens Maxim.  /  HPLC  /  chemical pattern recognition  /  weighted TOPSIS  /  grey relational analysis  /  quality difference evaluation  /  rutin  /  hyperoside  /  quercetin  /  chlorogenic acid  /  luteolin