Study on the quality control of Zicao ointment

Objective Study on the improvement of quality standard for Zicao ointment. Methods The content of shikonin and β,β’-dimethylacrylshikonin was determined by high performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC). The column was Inertsil ODS-3 C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.05% formic acid solution (70:30). The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min, the detection wavelength was 275 nm, and the column temperature was 25 ℃. Results The linear range of shikonin and β,β’-dimethylacrylshikonin were 0.04-0.81 μg (r=0.999 5) and 0.41-10.36 μg (r=0.999 2). The average recovery were 103.32% and 101.80%, the RSD were 1.96% and 2.11%. Conclusions The method is simple, accurate and sensitive to control the quality of Zicao ointment. Key words: Radix arnebiae; Shikonin; β,β’-Dimethylacrylshikonin; Chromatography, high pressure liquid; Quality control