Abstract: Objective Under the guidance of the acute toxicity of different components of Rhizoma Menispermi, the quality control methodology of Menispermine from Rhizoma Menispermi was studied. Methods HPLC was used to determine the content of Menispermine in all-components, water extract,alcohol extract of Rhizoma Menispermi. The C18 column(250mm×4.6mm,5μm)with the solvent system consisting of acetonitrile -0.05% triethylamine(40:60)was used.The detection wavelength was at 282nm by UV spectrometry and the column temperature was 30℃. The flow rate was 1.0mL/min. Results During 0.82~9.84 g, the linear regression of menispermine was favorable. The average recovery rates were 98.7%. In the determination of Menispermine in different components of Rhizoma Menispermi, it was found that the size order of the content of Menispermine was all-component > water extract > alcohol extract. Conclusion The method that Menispermine was determined by HPLC had good linearity, precision, stability and reproducibility, high recovery. There was a certain relationship between the content of Menispermine and acute toxicity in different components of Rhizoma Menispermi, but not completelyconsistent. It was proved that Chinese medicine was complex, and Menispermine was not the only toxic material basis of Rhizoma Menispermi. So Looking for other toxic ingredients to control the quality of Rhizoma Menispermi by more component index had an important role in the toxicity study of Rhizoma Menispermi.

Key words: Rhizoma Menispermi, Menispermine, acute toxicity, HPLC