ABSTRACT
An HPLC fingerprint and multi-component determination method of Leonurus japonicus was established for comprehensive evaluation and quality control of Leonurus japonicus. The sample was incubated in 70% ethanol in a water bath for 2 h, and the extract was analyzed by HPLC using Kromasil C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid with gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1. The temperature of column was 30 ℃. The detection wavelength was 280 nm. HPLC fingerprint of characteristic components of Leonurus japonicus was established. There were 12 common peaks among 25 batches of samples, and 5 of them were identified and determined. Syringic acid, leonurine hydrochloride, rutin, hyperoside or isoquercitrin showed a good linearity in the ranges of 0.426 1-85.22 ng (r = 0.999 9), 7.948-1 590 ng (r = 0.999 3), 10.20-2 040 ng (r = 1.000 0), 2.018-403.6 ng (r = 0.999 9), or 8.704-1 741 ng (r = 0.999 9), respectively. The average recoveries were 99.0%, 97.6%, 97.4%, 96.9% and 98.5% with RSD of 1.1%, 1.8%, 1.4%, 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively. The HPLC characteristic fingerprint of Leonurus japonicus was specific, and this method can simultaneously determine the content of 5 components.