ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Use HPLC to study the permeation of ingredients of Shuanghuanglian injection powder (SHL) through placental barriers of rats at different stages of pregnancy.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The pregnant rats were administered SHL for 5 d through caudalis vena at different stages of pregnancy. Plasma and embryonic tissues were obtained 12 h after the final administration of SHL. The componds in biological specimen were identified by HPLC.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Baicalin, luteolin and wogonoside were the main compounds in plasma. Wogonoside retained in first trimester embryonic tissues, and baicalin retained in the embryonic tissues of different pregnant stages.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Baicalin is the main compound of SHL through placental barriers of rats. Embryotoxicity of baicalin should be considered as the key point to evaluate the safety of SHL.</p>