Objective:To set up a method for the determination of the total iridoid glycoside in herb medicine of Ajuga decumbens Thunb.Methods: Spectrophotometric method was developed to determine the total iridoid glycoside.8-acetylharpagide was used as the reference substance

the samples were hydrolyzed by acid

2

4-dinitrophenylhydrazine ethanol test solution was used as color-developing agent

methanol-water solution of sodium hydroxide as solvent.The maximal absorption wavelength was 586 nm.Results: The absorbance color of 8acetylharpagide and herb sample solutions was stable after the development

there was a good linear relationship in the scope of 0.016 2～0.324 8 mg(r=0.999 8).The average recovery of the added reference substance was 101.2% and RSD was 2.0%.Conclusions: The developed method is simple

accurate

reproducible and effective for the quality control of Ajuga decumbens Thunb.