Objective: To establish the method of determining the main lactones (senkyunolide A

coniferyl ferulate and ligustilide) in Ligusticum chuanxiong simultaneously

and to compare the content of them in L.chuanxiong from new and traditional producing areas. Method: The optimum condition of extracting three lactones was confirmed by single factor experiments. The content of the three was determined by RP-HPLC. Result: The content of the three lactones had significant differences between new and traditional producing areas

of which coniferyl ferulate was the most different

then senkyunolide A and ligustilide. Clustering analysis showed that there were no geographical distribution laws of the three lactones. Conclusion: The method was simple for operation

sensitive with good reproducibility and can be used for quality control of L.chuanxiong. The comparison of the three lactones from new and traditional producing areas can provide theoretical basis for introduction cultivation and quality evaluation of L.chuanxiong.