Comparison on HPLC Fingerprints between Fraxini Cortex and Its Eye Drop

ObjectiveTo compare the HPLC fingerprints of Fraxini Cortex and its eye drop.MethodsUsing esculin and esculetin as reference substances, HPLC method was established for fingerprint chromatography of Fraxini Cortex and its eye drop. The similarity was analyzed by similarity evaluation and system cluster analysis.ResultsFor Fraxini Cortex, eight peaks were separated, among which four common peaks were obtained; for eye drop, eleven peaks were separated including six common peaks. Similarities of both fingerprints were good. Cluster analysis further showed that different sources resulted in the variance of ingredients in crude drug. Both materials and eye drop had some common peaks such as esculin and esculetin, on the other hand, they had some different peaks which might be caused by extracting process.ConclusionHPLC fingerprint chromatogram could be applied for the quality control of Fraxini Cortex and its preparations; the pharmaceutical process may be responsible for the variance of ingredients.