Objective: To develop high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) fingerprints of Anhui Moutan Cortex and to provide the scientific basis for quality control of Moutan Cortex. Method: Electrophoresis was performed on a fused silica capillary column (64.5 cm×75 μm). The running buffer was composed of 30 mmol ·L-1 borax (5% MeOH

pH 9.4). The separation voltage was 20 kV and the temperature was 25 ℃. The detection wavelength was 212 nm. Pieces of Moutan Cortex from different habitats were analyzed and the chromatographic fingerprints were determined by HPCE. The data were analyzed by hierarchical cluster and fingerprint similarity evaluation

with paeonol and gallic acid as reference. Result: The mutual mode of Moutan Cortex HPCE fingerprint was set up with 9 common peaks. Components of Moutan Cortex were closely related to their producing areas. Conclusion: The method is reliable

accurate

simple and quick

which can be used to control the quality of Moutan Cortex.