Abstract: Galla chinensis samples collected from Enshi Prefecture at altitudes of 1 020 m (L-GC) and 1 680 m (H-GC) were utilized. The gallic acid content was determined by HPLC, and the antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant activities of the two extracts were systematically compared. The results showed that the gallic acid content of H-GC (492.8 mg/g) was significantly higher than that of L-GC (203.9 mg/g). In terms of antioxidant activity, the H-GC extract (H-MEGC) exhibited a DPPH scavenging IC₅₀ value of 5.64 μg/mL, which was significantly better than that of the L-GC extract (L-MEGC, IC₅₀=19.96 μg/mL). Both extracts significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549 lung cancer cells, with IC₅₀ values of 25.72 μg/mL (L-MEGC) and 27.43 μg/mL (H-MEGC), and there was no significant difference between the two groups. In antibacterial assays, H-MEGC at 100 mg/mL showed stronger inhibition against some tested strains (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Acinetobacter baumannii) compared to L-MEGC. With increasing altitude, the gallic acid content, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial activity of Enshi Prefecture Galla chinensis against certain strains were enhanced, while its inhibitory effect on A549 cells was not significantly affected.

Key words: Galla chinensis, Enshi Prefecture, altitude, gallic acid, antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity, anticancer activity