OBJECTIVETo establish the chromatographic fingerprint for the quality control of gamboge.

METHODAnalysis on a Luna C8 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column eluted with mobile phases containing acetonitrile and 0.1% glacial acetic acid in water in gradient mode. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength was at 362 nm. The temperature of column was 25 degrees C. And data of 11 batches of gamboge samples from different sources were analysed by "similarity evaluation for chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine" software.

RESULTThirteen common peaks were selected in chromatograms, and all the common peeks were separated effectively.

CONCLUSIONThe precision, repeatability, and stability of this method were satisfying. The method developed can be used to identify and evaluate the quality of gamboge.