OBJECTIVEA novel method was established and the results were compared for HPLC fingerprint determination of crude and processed products of Entada phaseoloides.

METHODHPLC-UV was proposed for studying the fingerprints of fresh E. phaseoloides and their processed products, respectively. HPLC-ESI-MS was introduced to analyze the common peaks in each batch of crude E. phaseoloides.

RESULTSixteen characteristic peaks were found in crude E. phaseoloides samples and twenty-one common peaks existed in processed E. phaseoloides samples. Nine characteristic peaks of which were identified by comparison of the retention time and their molecular weights of chemical standards, most of which were identificated belong to triterpenoid saponins and glucosides.

CONCLUSIONAfter processed, the chemical composition of the extraction with solution of 60% methanol from crude E. phaseoloides are less or more than that from processed E. phaseoloides, and the changes of the main peaks of fingerprint chromatographic suggest that HPLC can be used to reflect the difference of chemical composition of E. phaseoloides and their processed products. It would be an efficient way for qualitative control of E. phaseoloides.