Distribution Differences of Shikimic Acid in Cultivated Illicium lanceolatum

Shikimic acid is an important intermediate to oseltamivir phosphate which is the most effective drug for treating bird flu disease. This study was performed to determine the shikimic acid distribution of Illicium lanceolatum which was affected by its age, light condition and ecotype. The results indicated that the age of trees had an optimal effect on its content of leaves and it maintained at the highest level as trees grew. Whereas the content in root and branch declined with increasing age. The 50% light condition promoted accumulation of schikimic acid and the leaf contained the highest level of that regardless of the light conditions. The Wu’ning ecotype produced the largest amount of that in all organs. The result that the shikimic acid content in the leaves was higher than in the root indicated that the leaves can substitute for the root which was a traditional medicinal part. Possible mechanisms for the enhanced content are discussed. Findings from this study have provided the scientific bases for promoting shikimic acid industry, and developing a high efficiency artificial cultivation system of I.lanceolatum.