Objective: To establish quality control methods for standard decoction of Carthami Flos. Method: Standard decoction of Carthami Flos was prepared

its dry extract rate

transfer rate of index components and pH were calculated to evaluate the stability of the process.A quality control method containing determination of hydroxysafflor yellow A and UPLC-UV fingerprint was established

the main common peaks in fingerprint were identified to clarify the main chemical constituents in standard decoction of Carthami Flos. Result: The concentration of hydroxysafflor yellow A in the standard decoction was 3.6 g·L-1.The similarities of fingerprints of samples were >0.9.The dry extract rate of the standard decoction was 32.6%

the transfer rate of hydroxysafflor yellow A was 61.2%

pH was 4.1. Conclusion: Methods for evaluating the quality of standard decoction of Carthami Flos is presented

they can provide reference for the quality control of products which are stemmed from the water extract of Carthami Flos.