HPLC fingerprint of Calendula officinalis flower

OBJECTIVE: To establish an HPLC fingerprint of Calendula officinalis flower for its quality control. METHODS: Hypersil ODS C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) was used with acetonitrile and water as mobile phase in a gradient mode at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength was 220 nm and the temperature of column was set at 35 degrees C. The similarity was analyzed with the Estimating System of Similarity on the Chinese Medicine Fingerprint Chromatogram. RESULTS: The HPLC fingerprint of Calendula officinalis flower containing eleven peaks was set up. The similarity of Calendula officinalis flower from different habitats was greater than 0.90. CONCLUSION: This method is easy and reliable, which can be used to judge the habitat and control the quality of Calendula officinalis flower.