Abstract: Objective: To establish a method for and the simultaneous determination of gallic acid, catechin, rutin, quercetin, kaempferol and apigenin in Rosae Laevigatae Fructus by ultrasonic-assisted extraction combined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Methods: The analytes in Rosae Laevigatae Fructus were separated on an InertSustain C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of methanol and 0.1% acetic acid (pH 3.0) for gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The UV gradient wavelength for detection was set at 280 nm (0–5.00 min) and 350 nm (5.00–20.00 min). The column temperature was kept at 35 ℃. Results: The complete separation of 6 active ingredients was achieved under the above conditions. The calibration curves of the analytes showed a good linear relationship (r ≥ 0.999 1, n = 6). The average recoveries were in the range of 96.21%–110.39% with relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 3.14%. Conclusion: The method is simple, rapid and accurate and can provide a basis for the quantitative detection and quality control of Rosae Laevigatae Fructus.

Key words: ultrasonic-assisted extraction, HPLC, Rosae Laevigatae Fructus, gradient wavelength, flavonoid compounds