OBJECTIVETo establish the fingerprint chromatograms of the extract of Cimicifugae Rhizoma firstly.

METHODPhenolic acids and triterpenoid saponins were analyzed by HPLC. Hypersil BDS C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column was used, the mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile -0.1% H3PO4 with gradient elution, flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), column temprature was 30 degrees C, and the detection wavelength was set at 316 nm and 210 nm.

RESULTIn the fingerprint of phenolic acids, thirteen feature peaks were found and the RSD of relative retention time and relative peak area were all less than 3% in the precision and repeation experiments. The similarity of ten batches of samples were all more than 0.90. In the fingerprint of triterpenoid saponins, fourteen feature peaks were found and the RSD of relative retention time and relative peak area were all less than 4% in the precision and repeation experiments. The similarity of ten batches of samples were all more than 0.90.

CONCLUSIONThis method is comprehensive, stable, reliable and can be used to evaluate the quality of the extract of Cimicifugae Rhizoma. It has provided a reference to the analysis on pharmacodynamic deferences of Cimicifuga extracts and also laid the foundation for its further development.