ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the contents of saikosaponin a, d and saikosaponins in Radix Bupleuri from different and assess their quality.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Saikosaponin a and d were used as the chemical reference substance to establish RP-HPLC and visible-spectrophotometry methods for determination of contents of saikosaponin a, d and saikosaponins.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The quality of B. chinense was better than that of B. scozonerifolium and B smishii; The contents of a, saikosaponin d and total saikosaponin in B. chinense were 0.100%-0.330%, 0.200%-0.400% and 1.00%-2.00% , respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is to suggest that the minimal contents requirements of saikosaponin a, d and saikosaponins in B. chinense should be set at 0. 100% , 0.200% and 1.00% , respectively; the best suitable planting areas are Taigu in the middle of Shanxi province, Ruicheng, Pinglu and Wanrong in the south of Shanxi province, and Longxi, Lixian in Gansu province.</p>