Objective To study the standardization of similarity evaluation method of chromatographic fingerprints. Methods Computer simulation and HPLC method were used to investigate the characteristics of different similarity evaluation methods and the criteria of characteristic variables selection in chromatographic fingerprints. Results Cosine ratio and correlation coefficient should be the first choice for similarity calculation based on chromatographic peak area. Peak area is recommend to be used as the characteristic variable for chromatographic fingerprints. Conclusion The features of the commonly used chromatographic fingerprint evaluation methods are described and their range of application are defined.

Objective The High-performance thin-layer(HPTLC) chromatographic fingerprint of Saikosaponin from Chaihu(roots of Bupleurum chinense DC.) was established and fingerprints similarity of different species of Bupleurum spp.were evaluated.Methods High-performance thin-layer chromatography(HPTLC)were carried out.The chromatographic conditions were as follows:pre-coated HPTLC silica-gel plate as stationary phase,dichloromethane-methanol-ethyl acetate-water(30:40:15:3) as mobile phase(solvent system) and 2 %p-DMBA/10 %Sulfuric acid alcoholic solution as derivatization reagent.The common pattern of HPTLC fingerprints were obtained through’Chromafinger’solution software,and authentication and quality assessment were analyzed by similarity and Principle Component Analysis.Results The common pattern of the roots of Bupleurum chinense DC.consists of 19 characteristic peaks,and higher similarities existed between the roots of Bupleurum chinense DC(Bei Chaihu),B.falcatum(San-dao Chaihu) and B.scorzonerifolium Willd.(Nan Chaihu),but Nan Chaihu contains much lower total saponins than that in Bei Chaihu.The other species of Bupleurum demonstrated their different chemical distribution.The toxic species of B.longiradiatum can be easily differentiated from other spp.by comparison with the HPTLC images.Conclusion The survey showed that the main commodities of’Chaihu’in the domestic market can be attributed to’Bei Chaihu fingerprint-pattern’.The toxic species of B.longiradiatum can be easily differentiated from other spp.by comparison with the HPTLC images.

Objective To study the standardization of similarity evaluation method of chromatographic fingerprints. Methods HPLC and computer simulation method were used to analyze the content variation pattern of the characteristic compounds, the construction method of standard fingerprints and the statistical meanings of similarity evaluation respectively. Results The content distribution of characteristic compounds should obey normal probability. It is recommended that content information and median algorism should be used to generate reference fingerprints. The confidence factor of similarity coefficient also should be tested. Conclusion The process of compound sampling, establishment of criteria and result test are described and standardized from statistical aspect.

Objective To establish the fingerprints of quaternary ammonium hydrate alkaloids in Radix Zanthoxyli nitidii by means of HPLC and to identify and evaluate the quality of different parts and commercial decoction pieces of Radix Zanthoxyli nitidii.Method The column of Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C_8(4.6?150mm,5?m)was selected.The mobile phase consisted of A:3 % glacial acetic acid-diethylamine(1000:7.8),B:methanol,and C:acetonitrile(non-lin- ear gradient elution).The elution speed was 0.8 mL?min~(-1),the detection wavelength was at 250 nm and 270 nm,and the column temperature was 20℃.Results The HPLC fingerprint of Radix Zanthoxyli nitidii consisted of 21 peaks which were chiefly composed by alkaloids such as Chelerythrine,Nitidine chloride,with a consistent peak-to-peak ratio.The constituents' distribution information provided quality information for assessing medicinal materials.Conclusion It showed that the alkaloids distributed mainly in the cortex of the roots,so the commercial decoction pieces of aged roots shed cortexes are inferior.The stems can not be used equivalently with the roots due to low content distribution of alkaloids.

Objective To establish the HPLC fingerprint of Herba Selaginellae moellendorfii for identification and comparison with other species of the same genus and to determine the content of amentoflavone.Method Separation was performed on ZORBAX SB-C18 chromatographic column,acetonitrile(A)-0.5 %solution of acetic acid in water(B)as mobile phase with gradient elution and the flow rate was 1.0 mL?min-1.The detection wavelength was at 270 nm.The content determination of amentoflavone carried out synchronously.Results The characteristic eighteen peaks in the chromatogram consisted of the common pattern of Herba Selaginellae moellendorfii.The fingerprint coupling with similarity and Principal Component Analysis differentiated and classified the various species of selaginella.Nine species could be divided into 3 classes.The content of amentoflavone in Herba Selaginellae moellendorfii was 0.8～1.0 %.Conclusions The weighted similarity coefficient was calculated from 13 batches of Herba Selaginellae moellendorfii samples as high as more than 0.98.Among 9 species of Selaginella,5 species(S.biformis,S.involvens,S.doederileinii,S.trachyphylla,S.tamariscina)were sorted out by means of Principal Component Analysis in the same class with S.moellendorfii.Which indicated the possibility of bio-equivalence among the herbs of these six species,while S.picta,S.uncinata and S.delicatula are considered as adulterants of S.moellendorfii as their dissimilar fingerprints.

AIM: To investigate the processing and HPLC fingerprint of Radix Scutellariae processed with wine,and to set up appropriate quanlity control standard. METHODS: chromatographic condition of HPLC-UV fingerprint consisted of Hypersil C_18 column(200 mm?5.0 mm,5 ?m),mixture of methanol,0.4% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile as a mobile phase in a gradient mode.Flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and detection wavelength was set at 277 nm. RESULTS: There were no evident differences among fingerprints of Radix Scutellariae that was normatively processed from the production areas. CONCLUSION: The process is feasible,and can be used to provide a basis for quanlity control of Radix Scutellariae.