RESUMO
This study was aimed to establish the HPLC fingerprints of the genus Chimonanthus leaves and compare the constituents distribution among five Chimonanthus species . The analysis was conducted on a C15 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with the mobile phase containing acetonitrile-water in gradient program: acetonitrile (B), 0-20 min, 6%-20%; 20-30 min, 20%-25%; 30-40 min, 25%-45%; 40-50 min, 45%-80%; 50-80 min, 80%-85%; 80-90 min, 85%-100%; 90-110 min, 100%. Flow rate was 0.8 mL x min(-1) and detection wavelength was 228 nm. Column temperature was set at 30 degrees C. The HPLC fingerprints of the five Chimonanthus species have been established. Ch. praecox, Ch. nitens, Ch. salicifolius, Ch. Zhejiangensis and Ch. grammatus have significant difference in constituents distribution and contents. Five standard substances as common compounds were confirmed in chromatography fingerprints. The method can be used as quality evaluation and classicfication of the genus Chimonanthus.