ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop an HPLC method for determination of two polyacetylenes, lobetyolin and lobetyolinin, in Herba Lobeliae Chinensis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>C18 column was used with the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water. Linear gradient elution from 10% to 40% acetonitrile in 25 min was applied, at the flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1), the detection wavelength was at 267 nm.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Lower contents of lobetyolin and lobtyolinin were found in collected samples of Herba Lobeliae Chinensis. The highest amounts of lobetyolin and lobetyolinin were found to be 0.461 and 0.436 mg x g(-1) in a sample procured from Hong Kong. However, there were no lobetyolin and lobetyolinin in some of the samples.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A simple and effective HPLC method to analyze the two polyacetylenes in Herba Lobeliae Chinensis was established. It could be applied for the quality control of this herb.</p>