Abstract: A high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) method was established for the simultaneous determination of five components (Harpagide, Verbascoside,Angoroside-C,Harpagoside,Cinnamic acid) in Scrophulariae Rhizome and Scrophulariae Radix,in order to investigate the impact of Scrophulariae Rhizome on the overall quality of Scrophulariae Radix.The determination was performed on a Waters 2695 HPLC with a 2998 DAD detector under 210,280 nm and 330 nm.In addition,the DPPH free radical scavenging rates of Scrophulariae Radix were determined at 517 nm by Ultraviolet Spectrophotometry.Consequently,the five components reached the baseline separation and there were no significant differences in the DPPH free radical scavenging rates between the extracts of Scrophulariae Rhizome and Scrophulariae Radix.Each batch of Scrophulariae Radix generally contained Scrophulariae Rhizome,and the total contents of Harpagide and Harpagoside in Scrophulariae Rhizome was similar to those in Scrophulariae Radix.Therefore,the existence of Scrophulariae Rhizome had little impact on the overall quality of Scrophulariae Radix.

Key words: Scrophulariae Radix, Scrophulariae Rhizome, HPLC, content determination, DPPH free radical