OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacodynamic components and its toxicity of asarum in Danggui Sini decoction. METHODS:（1） The fingerprint spectrum of asarum water decoction and Danggui Sini decoction were established and analyzed by using similarity evaluation system of chromatographic fingerprint spectrum of traditional Chinese medicine.（2） Acute toxicity test. 42 male ICR mice were taken and randomly divided into asarum single decoction group and compound group. The mice in the asarum single decoction group was administered by gavage with a maximum concentration of 0.978 4 g/mL and a maximum dose of 0.5 mL/10 g of the asarum water decoction; while the mice in the compound group were administered by gavage with a maximum concentration of 0.622 8 g/mL and a maximum dose of 0.5 mL/10 g of Danggui Sini decoction

both groups were administrated twice a day and observed for 2 weeks. To record the activity

behavior and death of the mice

to observe the changes of volume

color and texture of the heart

liver

spleen

lungs and kidneys of the mice

and take photos and weigh. RESULTS:（1） The fingerprint spectrum of 15 batches of asarum water decpctopm and 23 batches of Danggui Sini decoction were established

with the similarity was >0.90

and seven common components were identified

namely peak 1

peak 4

peak 19

peak 20

peak 23

peak 24 and peak 25

the reference substance was used to identify peak 4 as ferulic acid and peak 23 as asarinin.（2） The results of acute toxicity test showed that mice in both groups did not die within 2 weeks; the organs and tissues including heart

liver

spleen

lung and kidney showed no abnormal changes in volume

color and texture after gross autopsy; the maximum dose for mice in the compound group was 31.14 g/kg

and the maximum dose for mice in the asarum single decoction group was 48.92 g/kg. CONCLUSIONS: The fingerprint spectrum has identified seven active ingredients of asarum in Danggui Sini decoction

including ferulic acid and asarinin

which provides reference for further study of the mechanism of asarum in Danggui Sini decoction. The acute toxicity test in mice was carried out for its toxicity

so that the safety of asarum and its compound medication was preliminarily investigated and verified.