Objective: To compare contents of ferulic acid and ligustilide in different grades of decoction pieces of Chuanxiong Rhizoma and provide a theoretical basis for its traditional grading. Method: HPLC was used to determined contents of ferulic acid and ligustilide with Comatex C18(4.6 mm×250 mm

5 μm)

column temperature at 30℃

injection volume of 10 μL and flow rate was 1 mL·min-1;Mobile phase of ferulic acid and ligustilide were methanol-water (70:30) and methanol-acetic acid solution(30:70)

detection wavelength were 326 nm and 321 nm

respectively. Result: The content of ligustilide in first grade products

second-class products and parcel of mixed goods were 3.14%

2.91% and 0.30%-2.84%

respectively;The content of ferulic acid were 0.26

0.23% and 0.1-0.21%

respectively. Conclusion: Contents of ferulic acid and ligustilide from different grades of decoction pieces of Chuanxiong Rhizoma were in order of first grade products

second-class products and parcel of mixed goods

this study could prove that traditional grading method of Chuanxiong Rhizomais had some rationality.