Objective To establish an HPLC method to simultaneously determine the contents of shikonin andβ,β'-dimethylacrylshikonin inZizhu Ointment.Methods The contents of shikonin andβ,β'-dimethylacrylshikonin inZizhu Ointment were determined by HPLC. The chromatographic conditions were Welch Materials XB-C18 Column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 18.5μm), with mobile phase of acetonitrile-water-formic acid (75:25:0.05), detection wavelength of 516 nm, temperature of 30℃, flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and the load of 20μL.Results Shikonin showed a good linearity in the range of 0.025 6-0.256μg (r2=0.999 5), and the average recovery rate was 98.12% (RSD=1.92%).β,β'-dimethylacrylshikonin showed a good linearity in the range of 0.174 4-2.616μg (r2=0.999 2), and the average recovery rate was 100.46% (RSD=1.17%).Conclusion This method is simple and accurate, which can be used for the quality control and evaluation of Zizhu Ointment.

Objective To establish a method for quality control of Arnebia euchroma inZizhu Ointment.Methods The TLC was used to make qualitative identification to Arnebia euchroma in Zizhu Ointment. The content of shikonin was targeted as the evaluation index and the method of orthogonal design was used to optimize the extraction of shikonin. UV-visible spectrophotometry was used for the determination of shikonin.Results Main spots of TLC were clear, and negative control had no interference. The optimum extraction of shikonin was extracted for three times, 30 min for each time, NaOH volume fraction of 1%, NaOH amount of 50 mL. The absorbance of shikonin showed a good linear relationship in the range of 0.010 2-0.035 7 mg (r2=0.999 7), and the average recovery was 103.27%, RSD=4.17%.Conclusion This method was simple and feasible, and can be used for the quality control and the evaluation ofZizhu Ointment.