Objective:To develop a HPLC method for determination of aconitine in tissues of rats.Methods:The Waters 2690-996 PAD system was adopted

the analytical column was a HAISIL 100 ODS column(5 μm

250×4.6 mm).The mobile phase was methanol

water

and diethylamine in the ratio of 75∶25∶0.1.The flow rate was 0.9 mL·min-1.The wavelength of detector was 240 nm.The tissue samples were added to 1.0 mmol/L HCl with weight and volumn in the ratio of 1∶5

the above solution was collected after the samples were homogenized and centrifugalized.The solution was lyophilized and extracted by organic solvent.After evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure

the residue was redissolved into methanol

30 μL was injected to the sampler.Results:Aconitine was detected in heart

liver

spleen

lung

kidney of rat

none in brain and spinal cord.The linear range of heart

spleen

lung and kidney was 8.0 ng-2.0 μg

the relation coefficients were 0.997 2

0.998 6

0.999 3 and 0.999 4 respectively.The linear range of liver was 0.4 μg-4.0 μg and teh relation coefficient was 0.999 0. The detection limit was 0.4 μg/mL

the extracted recovery was 88%

the RSD of precision was less than 10%.Conclusion:It appears to be an accurate and effective method that can offer scientific basis for toxication of aconitine clinically.