Objective: To optimize ethanol extraction technology of Chaihu Xiaoying granules which could guide clinical medication of this preparation. Method: With composite score of yield of dry extract and mass percents of paeoniflorin

hesperidin

saikosaponin a and saikosaponin d as index

orthogonal design was taken for investigating effects of the concentration of ethanol

the amount of ethanol

extraction time and times on extraction technology.Contents were determined by HPLC

molile phase of saikosaponin consisted of acetonitrile(A)-0.1% phosphoric acid solution with gradient elution program of (0-10 min

10%-25%A;10-25 min

25%-35%A;25-33 min

35%-45%A;33-50 min

45%A;50-55 min

45%-10%A)

detection wavelength was set at 210 nm;molile phase of paeoniflorin and hesperidin consisted of acetonitrile-0.2% acetic acid solution(15: 85)

detection wavelengths were set at 230 nm and 283 nm

respectively. Result: Optimal extraction condition was to reflux extract twice with 6 times the amount of 60% ethanol for 1.5 hours per time.Yield of dry extract was 35.98%

mass percents of paeoniflorin

hesperidin

saikosaponin a and saikosaponin d were 0.944%

1.543%

0.089%

respectively. Conclusion: This optimized technology is scientific

reasonable

stable and feasible

which can provide a reference for industrial production of Chaihu Xiaoying granules.