Abstract:Objective To investigate the quality of Bozhou Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces processed with different methods and the feasibility of processing in producing areas for Bozhou Paeoniae Radix Alba. Methods High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to establish the fingerprints of standard decoction of Bozhou Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces processed with different methods, and the content of seven constituents, including gallic acid, were determined. A cluster analysis was performed based on the relative peak area of the common peak of all samples. Results The standard decoction of fresh boiled Bozhou Paeoniae Radix Alba pieces had a higher degree of similarity than that of fresh unboiled oblique pieces. There were certain differences in the content of seven constituents, including gallic acid, between the Bozhou Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces processed with different methods. According to the cluster analysis, fresh boiled Bozhou Paeoniae Radix Alba pieces and traditional boiled pieces were clustered as one class, while fresh unboiled oblique pieces were clustered as one class. Conclusion Fresh boiled Bozhou Paeoniae Radix Alba pieces processed in producing areas have similar quality to traditional boiled pieces and can be used together with traditional boiled pieces. There is a relatively big difference in quality between fresh boiled Bozhou Paeoniae Radix Alba pieces and fresh unboiled oblique pieces, and therefore, further studies are needed to determine whether fresh unboiled oblique pieces can be used in clinical practice.