Abstract:

In order to evaluate and control their qualities completely，18 batches of Prunellae Spica were bought，and their appearances, TLC identification, the inspection of moisture, ash, extract content were carried out. Furthermore, the HPLCfingerprint of Prunellae Spica, the determination; of caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid content and the pattern identification of different batches by principal analysis and cluster analysis have been established. The results showed that the appearance of each batch accorded with the standards of China Pharmacopoeia, but few of them could reach standard of superior grade product; rosmarinic acid could be detected from all batches by TLC; Moisture, total ash and extract content were in line with the requirements of Pharmacopoeia; Acid insoluble ash of all the batches except 3 of them could comply with the requirement of Pharmacopoeia, but there were rather big difference among various batches; the overall similarity of the fingerprints was high, but the chromatographic peak area and the content of the caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid existed rather big difference between batches. Through the research above, the quality of Prunellae Spica was preliminarily understood, and it is recommended to further improve the appearance evaluation criteria, and add fingerprint as a new quality evaluation index .

Key words: Prunellae Spica, rosmarinic acid, HPLC fingerprints, caffeic acid