Objective: This study evaluated the medicinal value of different tissue fractions of different varieties of Paridis Rhizoma. Method: Polyphyllin was extracted respectively from underground rhizomes

stems

leaves

seeds

peels and testa of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis

P. polyphylla

P. fargesii var. fargesii and P. Polyphylla var. stenophylla. The content of polyphyllin Ⅰ

Ⅱ

Ⅵ and Ⅶ were detected using HPLC method. Result: Total polyphyllin content in the underground rhizomes of the four varieties of Paridis Rhizoma was higher than that in their aboveground fractions; specifically

the total polyphyllin content in underground rhizomes of P. polyphylla was the highest

which was 26.34 mg·g-1. In terms of different aboveground fractions

polyphyllin Ⅰ content in the peels

polyphyllin Ⅵ content in the seeds and polyphyllin Ⅶ content in the testa of P. polyphylla were the highest

which were 10.18

0.84

8.61 mg·g-1

respectively. Polyphyllin Ⅱ content in the seeds of P. fargesii var. fargesii was the highest

which was 1.1 mg·g-1. Conclusion: Due to the highest total polyphyllin content in either underground rhizomes and the whole plant of P. polyphylla among the four varieties of Paridis Rhizoma

P. polyphylla could be used as a good variety for future artificial cultivation. Polyphyllin Ⅰ content in the stems

peels and testa of Paridis Rhizoma presented positive correlations with the polyphyllin Ⅰ content in the underground rhizomes

suggesting that the medicinal value of the underground rhizomes could be preliminarily evaluated through detection of polyphyllin Ⅰ content in the aboveground fractions.