Objective To establish an RP-HPLC method for the determination of the content of safflor yellow A in Zhanjing Tinctura. Methods The chromatographic procedure was carried out in Symmetry C18 column(4.6mm?150 mm,5.0?m)with methanol-water-glacial acetic acid(7:93∶2)as the mobile phase,pH=2.80. The flow rate was 1.0 mL?min-1,column temperature was 20℃,and the detection wavelength was 402 nm. Results Safflor yellow A was well separated from other components. The standard curves of safflor yellow A showed linearity in the range of 0.096～0.960?g (r=0.9999). The average recovery was 98.80% with RSD being 2.95%(n=9). Conclusion This method is sensitive,simple and accurate,and can be used for the determination of safflor yellow A in Zhanjing Tinctura.

Steaming is one of the commonly used methods in the processing of Chinese materia medica,which can be used to change the medicinal properties,expand the scope of use,enhance the efficacy,reduce side effects and facilitate slicing.By reviewing ancient herbal texts and literature,this article summarized the historical development of TCM steaming:from the Spring and Autumn period to the Warring States period,it has mainly gone through the stages of germination,growth,maturity,and prosperity.It further sorted out the research progress of modern steaming from the aspects of steaming technology,chemical composition and drug effect changes before and after steaming,and analyzed and discussed the establishment of quality standards of steamed products and the development of traditional and modern processing techniques,with a view to clarifying the mechanism of steaming,and providing basis for standardizing steaming technology,improving the quality standards of steamed decoction pieces and rational clinical application.