A comparative study of HPLC fingerprints of Radix Scrophulariae

Objective:To develop a method for determining HPLC fingerprints of Radix Scrophulariae and analyze and determine HPLC fingerprints of the samples processed by different methods and the commercial decoction pieces of Radix Scrophulariae.Methods: A Zorbax SB-C18(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) column was used.The mobile phase of the gradient elution were 0.025% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile.The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm.The velocity was 1 mL·min-1.The column temperature was maintained at 25 ℃.Results: It was found that 16 peaks were common for the commercial decoction pieces.The ranges of the relative retention time and the relative peak area of the common peaks were determined.The fingerprints showed that the similarities of the 20 batches of Radix Scrophulariae ranged from 0.488 to 0.929,indicating great difference in quality;the chemical components of the samples processed by different methods were also quite different,implying difference in quality between Radix Scrophulariae soaked before being cut and that steamed before being cut.Conclusion:This method can be used for the quality control of Radix Scrophulariae and its decoction pieces.