Objective: To establish the HPLC-ELSD fingerprint of Bupleuri Radix and analyze the change rule of the main components from Bupleuri Radix in extraction and processing. Method: Phenomenex Kinetex® C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm

5 μm) was employed with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-water for gradient elution.The flow rate was 1.0 mL · min-1

column temperature was 30℃ and the injection amount was 10 μL.Evaporative light scattering detector was adopted with the flow rate of nitrogen was 3.0 mL · min-1.These chromatographic conditions were used to study on fingerprints of four kinds of samples and determine the contents of saikosaponin a

d

b1

b2. Result: A total of 23 chromatographic peaks were identified in the fingerprints of four samples of Bupleuri Radix.The common patterns of fingerprints were different from each other and there was a big difference between chromatographic peaks.After high temperature water extraction or processing with vinegar

the primary saponin of Bupleuri Radix was transformed into secondary saponin.Among them

the primary saponin content in the water extract of Bupleuri Radix processed with vinegar was the least

the content of secondary saponin was the most; and the content of secondary saponin was the least in methanol extract of Bupleuri Radix. Conclusion: The established HPLC-ELSD fingerprint can be used as a chemical component analysis method for Bupleuri Radix.The chemical compositions of Bupleuri Radix are greatly changed after water extraction or processing with vinegar.The clinical application and quality evaluation of preparations containing Bupleuri Radix should take into full account of change of saikosaponins.