OBJECTIVETo establish a new quantitative method for simultaneous determination of multi-components in Salvia miltiorrhiza by using one chemical reference substance and validate its feasibilities.

METHODSThe new quality evaluation method, quantitative analysis of multi-components by singer-marker (QAMS), was established and validated with S. miltiorrhiza . Five main ingredients were selected as analytes to evaluate the quatity and their relative correlation factors (RCF) were determined by HPLC-DAD. Within the linear range, the values of RCF at 280 nm of sodium danshensu to protocatechuic aldehyde, rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid and salvianolic acid B were 7.559, 2.901, 1.825 and 1.746, respectively. The contents of danshensu in the samples of S. miltiorrhiza were determined by using the external standard method, and the contents of the four other ingredients were calculated by their RCFS. The contents of these four ingredients in all samples were also determined by the external standard method.

RESULTWithin a certain range, the RCFs showed good reproducibility (RSD 1.0%-2.5%). No significant differences were observed between the quantitative results of the two methods.

CONCLUSIONIt is feasible and suitable to evaluate the quality of S. miltiorrhiza and its processed products by QAMS.