OBJECTIVE: To improve the quality standard of Wuhuang Guwai powder. METHODS: Based on the previous quality standard

TLC identification method was established for radix angelicae dahuricae and radix et rhizoma rhei. HPLC method was established for content determination of aconitine and hypaconitine. The column was octadecylsilane chemically bonded silica gel column（ Merck Purospher STAR RP-18 endcapped

250 mm × 4. 6 mm

5 μm） at the flow rate of 0. 8 ml/min

the column temperature was 30 ℃ ． RESULTS: The TLC spots of radix angelicae dahuricae and radix et rhizoma rhei were clear and well separated without negative interference. The linearity was good in the range from 1. 00 to 6. 00 μg/ml（ r = 0. 999 8） for aconitine and from 15 to 90 μg/ml（ r = 0. 999 9）for hypaconitine

with the recovery of 98. 83% and 99. 87% and the RSD of 2. 06% and 2. 63%

respectively.CONCLUSIONS: The method is simple

accurate

reliable and repeatable

which can be used for the quality evaluation of the Wuhuang Guwai powder.