Objective: To investigate the chemical compositions of Mahuang tincture formula. Method: Compounds were isolated and purified from the formula with silica gel column chromatography

ODS reversed-phase column chromatography and recrystallization

and their structures were identified on the basis of spectral analyses and physicochemical properties. Result: Twelve compounds were isolated from the ethylacetate extract (with strongest anti-inflammatory activity) of Mahuang tincture and their structures were identified as berberine (1)

columbamine (2)

coptisine (3)

8-oxo-epiberberine (4)

8-oxo-coptisine (5)

geniposide (6)

brucine (7)

strychnine (8)

vomicine (9)

α-amyrin (10)

β-sitosterol (11)

daucosterol (12). Conclusion: All 12 compounds were isolated from this formula for the first time and alkaloids were the main compositions

which must be the material basis for pharmacological activities of Mahuang tincture.