RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To distinguishing the Bupleurum formulae granules from different origins and promoting the consistency of quality of them,with the analysis of fingerprint profiles and chemometric methods. METHODS: In the study, a method of dual-wavelength (210 & 254 nm) HPLC fingerprint of Bupleurum formulae granules was developed. Based on the fingerprint method, the quality differences of the samples of Bupleurum formulae granules were analyzed by similarity analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis. RESULTS: The fingerprints of 12 batchs of Bupleurum formulae granules are established. The results indicated that the fingerprints of Bupleurum formulae granules from different origins could be differentiated well and the characteristic peaks could be marked. CONCLUSION: The 210 nm fingerprints of Bupleurum formulae granule have the most characteristic differences; It is recommended that the dual-wavelength fingerprints could be combined for analysis and application. Saikosaponin a, saikosaponin b2 and saikosaponin b1 are the key components of the quality difference, which should be focused on in the quality evaluation and control of Bupleurum formula granules.