Objective: To establish a HPLC method for bufothionine in the skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans and Huachansu injection.
Method: The samples were separated using a Lichrosob C18 column with CH3CN-H2O (10:90) as mobile phase. Flow rate was at 1.0 mL x min (-1) and the detection wavelength was at 225 nm.
Result: The calibration curve of bufothionine was linear over the range of 0.0772-0.4632 microg and the average recovery was 99. 2%. The contents of bufothionine were fluctuated from 36.4-641.8 microg x g(-1) in the skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans and 22.47-33.16 microg x mL(-1) in Huachansu injection, respectively.
Conclusion: The contents of bufothionine were greatly different between cultured and wild species. The method was suitable for the quality control of the skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans and its preparation.