Study on quality control method of suanzaoren hehuan formula and fingerprint of its saponins parts

OBJECTIVE:To establish the method for determining total saponins and paeoniflorin in Suanzaoren Hehuan Formula (SHF) and an HPLC fingerprint of its saponins parts. METHODS:The total saponins in SHF was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry at 545 nm. The content of paeoniflorin and the chromatographic fingerprints were determined by HPLC. RESULTS:There was a good linear relationship in the range of 2.3-11.8 microg/mL for oleanolic acid (r1 = 0.9997) of UV, and 12.8-38.4 pg/mL for paeoniflorin (r2 = 0.9996) of HPLC. The average recovery of oleanolic acid and paeoniflorin was 99.60% and 99.98%, respectively. Thirteen peaks were selected as common peaks in fingerprint and four of them were recognized. CONCLUSION:The method is accurate, sensitive, rapid and suitable for quality control of this formula.