Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To establish a method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of eight saponins including ginsenosides Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, Rd and notoginsenoside R1 in the flower buds of Panax notoginseng by HPLC. METHODS The analysis was performed on a Hypersil ODS (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) column with gradient elution of acetonitrile and water both contained 0.005% formic acid in 65 min. RESULTS Eight saponins were detected in samples of flower buds, in which protopanaxadiol saponins were the main active components, and the content of ginsenoside Rb3 was above 3%.CONCLUSION The method was sensitive, rapid and accurate with good reproducibility, and suitable for the quality control of the flower buds of Panax notoginseng.