OBJECTIVETo compare the contents of chromones in the different isolation and purification procedures from Saposhnikovia divaricata.

METHODThe separation of six chromones was determined simultaneously by HPLC on a Kromasil C18 column at 35 degrees C with the methanol-0.1% phosphoric acid in gradient elution as the mobile phrase. The detection wavelength was set at 254 nm and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1).

RESULTAll the obtained correlation coefficient of the six components was over 0.9995 and the average recoveries were not less than 97% (RSD <5%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple, accurate with good reproducibility. Results showed the better preparation procedure is water-decoction and ethanol-precipitation with resin separation and silica gel purification.