Content Analysis on Saponins in Bupleurum Smithii Wolff var. Parvifolium Shan et Y. Li

OBJECTIVE To provide reference for exploitation and the quality evaluation of Bupleurum smithii Wolff var. parvifolium Shan et Y. Li in Qinghai province, and to determine the content of total saponins, saikoside a and saikoside d in it. METHODS The content of total saponins was determined by spectrophotometry. The content of saikoside a and saikoside d were determined by HPLC. RESULTS The content of total saponins, saikoside a and saikoside d in Bupleurum smithii Wolff var. parvifolium Shan et Y. Li were more than 2.77%, 0.54%, 0.14%, respectively. The content of saikoside a and saikoside d were higher than quality criteria in China Pharmacopeia. CONCLUSION The method is simple, rapid and accurate. The mothod is suitable for quality analysis of total saponins, saikoside a and saikoside d in Bupleurum smithii Wolff var. parvifolium Shan et Y. Li in Qinghai province which possess high medicinal value.