Objective: To establish the method for simultaneous determination of five free anthraquinones(including aloe-emodin

rhein

emodin

chrysophanol

physcion)

two dianthrones(including sennoside A and sennoside B)

gallic acid and catechin from rhubarb. Method: The analysis was achieved with an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 analytical column(4.6 mm×250 mm

5 μm) by gradient elution of 0.05% phosphoric acid in water and acetonitrile at 40 ℃. The flow rate was 1 mL·min-1

injection volume was 10 μL

and detection wave length was set at 280 nm. Result: All the active constituents' calibration curves showed a good linearity(r≥0.999 5) in a relatively wide concentration range. The liner range of the active constituents was 4.56-45.6

16.3-163

7.38-73.8

7.44-74.4

1.82-18.2

57.6-576

28.2-282

3.27-32.7

118-1.18×10 mg·L-1

respectively. And the average recovery was 96.4%-101.4%

RSD<3.15%. Furthermore

contents of the Nine active constituents of rhubarb samples from different sources differ significantly. Conclusion: This method is simple

good reproducibility

accuracy and reliability

it can be used for rapid quality evaluation of rhubarb.