Objective: To investigate the effect of shading treatment on growth

physiological and secondary metabolites response of Lamiophlomis rotate

in order to explore its adaptation mechanism to shade environment

and provide a theoretical basis for seedling management. Method: Two-year-old L. rotate plants were given shading treatment

with 40% of light intensity of sunshine. Morphological indicators

such as the number of leaves

leaf area and root length per plant

were recorded. Physiological parameters were measured

including malondialdehyde (MDA) content

superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity

peroxidase (POD) activity

content of proline

catalase(CAT) activity

soluble sugar

soluble protein content and chlorophyll content. Chemical components of L. rotata were measured

including C19H28O12 and C17H26O11. Result: Shade conditions significantly reduced root length

the number of leaves

leaf area

the biomass and root-top ratio of L. rotate. The underground biomass was increased in full sunlight treatment. Shading treatments not only significantly decreased chlorophyll content

content of proline and soluble sugar

but also significantly increased POD activity. Shading treatment significantly decreased both the content of C19H28O12 and the total content of C17H26O11 and C17H26O11 (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that shading treatment could promote biomass allocation for pharmaceutical use

and sunlight on plateau may play the role of adversity factor

which could increase the content of C17H26O11 and C17H26O11. We shall pay attention to controlling suitable shading time for nursery management. The results of this study show that the 2-year L. rotate seedling tablets conform with the provisions for L. rotata cultivation in pharmacopoeia