RESUMEN
Objective To develop an method for detecting the characteristic chromatograms of Qihong decoction by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode arry and evaporative light-scattering detectors (HPLC-DAD-ELSD). Methods The determination was carried out with Venusil MP-C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column,using acetonitrile-0.2％ formic acid as mobile phase with gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and detected at the wave length 254 nm, 290 nm, 365 nm. The drift tube temperature for ELSD was set at 70 ℃, and the nebulizing gas flow rate was 2.8 L/min. Results There were 34 chemical compositions in characteristic chromatograms of Qihong decoction. Among them, 16 peaks came from Polygoni Orientalis Fructus, 17 from Astagali Radix, respectively. A total of 18 chemical constituents were identified. Conclusions The method was simple, steady and reliable which could be applied to the quality control of Qihong decoction.