OBJECTIVETo develop an approach to the determination of saponins in Radix Cynanchi Atrati, and to optimize the parameters for purified the preparation of total saponins by macroporous resin column chromatography.

METHODUsing cynanversicoside A as a reference, the determination of saponins was performed; according to the elution rate and the purity of the products, the preparation performance of total saponins by macroporous resin was investigated, and its parameters were optimized.

RESULTThe saponins in Radix Cynanchi Atrati were successfully determined at 518 nm by vanillin-perchloric acid as spray reagent. The macroporous resin HP-20 showed static absorption ratio of 59. 3 mg x g(-1); the 70% ethanol extraction of Radix Cynanchi Atrati was eluted from column of macroporous resin HP-20 by water and 30% ethanol, and the saponins were concentrated in 90% ethanol solution. The content of saponin part eluted from HP-20 column was 77.62%.

CONCLUSIONThe proposed approach allows convenient and efficient preparation and purification of saponin in Radix Cynanchi Atrati.