The systems of mobile phase for the determination of gamma-schisandrin in Schisandra chinensis and its preparations were developed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The separation was performed on a Shim-pack VP-ODS column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) at 30 degrees C, the detection wavelength was set at 285 nm and the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min. Retention times and separation were investigated in mixed solution of three reference substances (gamma-schisandrin, anwulignan, and deoxyschizandrin) and methanol extract of Schisandra chinensis by different systems and proportions of mobile phases to select optimal conditions for the determination of gamma-schisandrin. The results showed that the complete separation of gamma-schisandrin and anwulignan was difficult in the systems of methanol-water and methanol-acetic acid-water. The separation of gamma-schisandrin, anwulignan and deoxyschizandrin can be completed in the systems of acetonitrile-methanol-water and acetonitrile-acetic acid-water when their proportions were suitable. The mobile phase of acetonitrile-methanol-water (17:58:25, v/v/v) was selected for the determination of deoxyschizandrin, gamma-schisandrin and anwulignan in Schisandra chinensis and Hugan tablets. The determination results of the three substances were satisfactory with the relative standard deviations (n = 4) ranged from 0.95% to 5.8%, and the average recoveries ranged from 94.50% to 105.6%. The efficiency of separation and the results of determination were satisfactory for the real samples.