Abstract: Objective To establish the method for determination of the content of saikosaponins and saikosaponin a in Bupleurum Chinense DC, and carries on determination of the content of the sample of saikosaponins and saikosaponin a. Methods Saikosaponin a was used as the chemical reference substance determine the content of saikosaponins by UV-Visible Spectrophotometry. The absorbency was measured at 545nm. The content of saikosaponin a in Bupleurum Chinense DC was determined by HPLC. The samples were separated by C18 column(4.6mm×250mm, 5μm). The mobile phase is methyl-alcohol-water(70:30). The flow is 1mL·min-1. The detector wavelength is 210 nm. Results There was good linearity in the range of 30~70μg/mL(r=0.9956) for saikosaponins、in the range of 50.4~252μg/mL (r=0.9991) for saikosaponin a; The average recovery of saikosaponins and saikosaponin a were 99.31% and 99.22%, and RSD were 1.25% and 1.07%(n=6). Conclusion The methods for determination of the content of saikosaponins by UV-Visible Spectrophotometry and saikosaponin a by HPLC were proved to be simple, easy and fast to perform, and the results obtained were reliable and suitable. So, it can be used for the quantitative determination of saikosaponins and saikosaponin a in Bupleurum Chinense DC.To provide the basis for correctly using Bupleurum Chinense DC in the safe dose scope.

Key words: Saikosaponins, Saikosaponin a, determination