ABSTRACT
Objective To establish quality standards for stem leaf ofAstragali Radix.Methods A method of TLC identification was used for qualitative discrimination. The moisture, total ash and extracts contents of the stem leaf of Astragali Radix were determined by pharmacopoeia method. Total contents of astragaloside and astragalus polysaccharide were measured by colorimetry. The astragalosideⅣ and calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside contents were detected by HPLC.Results The spots of TLC were round and clear with good repeatability. The moisture contents of the stem leaf ofAstragali Radix were between 6.24%–12.24%; the total ash was between 8.21%–10.55%; the water- solubility extracts were between 12.12%–27.30%; alcohol-solubility extracts were between 6.89%–10.28%; the total contents of astragaloside were between 23.74–26.52 mg/g; astragalus polysaccharide were between 23.31–45.70 mg/g; the astragalosideⅣ contents were between 0.047%–0.18%; the calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside were 0.21%–0.26%. Conclusion The method is convenient, fast and repeatable, and the results are accurate and reliable, which can be used to control the quality of the stem leaf ofAstragali Radix effectively, and as the main index of the quality standard.