Abstract: A reversed-phase HPLC method for the separation and determination of quercetin in Polygonatum flavonoids was described. The components can be separated through a C18 analytical column (250×4.6mm i.d., 5μm) in 30 min. The mobile phase was a mixture of acetic acid-methanol-acetonitrile-phosphoric acid-water (10:100:100:10:300, V/V) respectively. The flow rate was 0.50ml/min. UV detection wavelength was performed at 278 nm. External standard was used and the calibration curve showed good linearity in the range of 1.0～20.4mg/L, r 0.99902, with detection limit as 0.4μg/ml (S/N=3). The average recovery is 96.79%. The relative standard deviation of the method is 0.89%. The method is simple, fast, sensitive and accurate. It can be applied to the analysis of quercetin in Polygonatum. It provides a scientific basis for industrial production and quality control of Polygonatum quercetin liquor preparations for clinical uses.

Key words: Polygonatum, total flavonoids, quercetin, determination, RP-HPLC