Objective: To invesitgate stability of lactones in volatile oil from Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Method: The content of ligustilide at different times was determined by HPLC when volatile oil was put in refrigeration(4℃) avoiding light

room temperature(18-25℃) avoiding light and room temperature under light

respectively.degradation rate constant of ligustilide was calculated

chromatographic conditions were as follows:Hedera ODS-2 column(4.6 mm×250 mm

5 μm)

mobile phase of methanol-water(65:35)

detection wavelength 273 nm

column temperature 30℃

injection volume 10 μL

flow rate 1 mL·min-1.And analyzed peak area change of butylphthalide

3-butylidenephthalide and senkyunolide A at the same concentration. Result: Under these three conditions

degradation rate constants of ligustilide in volatile oil were 2.0×10-4

6.4×10-3

8.4×10-3

respectively;With extension of storage time

contents of butylphthalide and 3-butylidenephthalide increased while ligustilide and senkyunolide A decreased

and increasing amplitude of 3-butylidenephthalide was close to reduction amplitude of ligustilide. Conclusion: Volatile oil from Chuanxiong Rhizoma should be stored below 4℃ avoiding light

and its components could transform into each other during storage.