Objective: To compare effects of different drying methods on contents of active components in Cortex Daphnes. Method: HPLC was adopted to determine contents of syringin

daphnetin and umbelliferone with mobile phrase of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid (15:85) and detection wavelength at 265

326 nm

respectively.The content of total coumarins was determined by UV at a wavelength of 326 nm.Effects of different drying methods on contents of active components in Cortex Daphnes were investigated by single factor test. Result: The content line of daphnetin by different drying methods was vacuum drying>oven drying at 80℃>oven drying at 40℃>oven drying at 50℃>drying in the shade>oven drying at 60℃>oven drying at 105℃>drying in the sun

the content line of umbelliferone was oven drying at 80℃>drying in the shade>vacuum drying>oven drying at 105℃>oven drying at 50℃>oven drying at 60℃>oven drying at 40℃>drying in the sun

the content line of syringin was oven drying at 40℃>drying in the shade>drying in the sun>vacuum drying≈oven drying at 50℃>oven drying at 60℃>oven drying at 80℃>oven drying at 105℃

the content line of total coumarins was vacuum drying>drying in the shade>oven drying at 50℃>drying in the sun>oven drying at 60℃>oven drying at 80℃>oven drying at 40℃>oven drying at 105℃. Conclusion: Vacuum drying could maximally preserve active components

followed by natural drying in the shade and oven drying at 50℃.It recommended natural drying in the shade when processing in production place;if conditions allowed in origin or pieces manufacturers

vacuum drying at 35℃ was the best method to dry Cortex Daphnes

followed by oven drying at 50℃.