OBJECTIVETo develop an UPLC method of determining the characteristic chromatographic profiles of Moutan Cortex for quality control of the medicine.

METHODThe UPLC characteristic chromatographic profiles of fifteen batches of Moutan Cortex were determined on an HSS T3 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.8 microm) eluted with the mobile phase consisted of water containing 0.05% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile in gradient mode and the detection wavelength was set at 254 nm.

RESULTThe common mode of the UPLC characteristic chromatographic profile was set up under the established condition. There were 20 common peaks in the characteristic chromatographic profile of fifteen samples, ten of which were identified, and the similar degrees of the fifteen batches to the common mode were between 0.973-0.998.

CONCLUSIONThe method was fast and accurate. The characteristic chromatographic profile of Moutan Cortex with high specificity can be used to control the quality of Moutan Cortex.