OBJECTIVETo establish the HPCE chromatogram of prepared products of Rhizoma Coptidis (RC) for analyzing the difference of Alkaloids in RC prepared by different methods, in order to offering reference for studies on the preparing mechanism.

METHODThe chromatograms were obtained by HPCE, in which the background electrolyte was 0.05 mol x L(-1) Na2B4O7-H3PO4 (pH 7.0) containing 35% MeOH. The voltage was 15 kV, the detection wavelength was 225 nm, and the samples were developed at room temperature. The correlation relativity of retention time and peak area of each chromatographic peak in different prepared samples were explored, respectively, and benzyl tri-ethyl ammonium chloride was chosen as the reference to calculate the relative retention time and the ratio of peak area for each chromatographic peak.

RESULTEight co-possessing peaks were selected as the characteristic of different prepared products of RC. The relative area of the same peak in different prepared products were distinct, but the area ratio of the 8 peaks in each product prepared with the same method was a relative constancy basically.

CONCLUSIONIt is proved that the new method is stable and reliable. It can be used as the characteristic chromatogram of the prepared RC, and it can be useful in the quality control of this material.