[Determination of morusin in cortex mori].

Objective: To determine the contents of morusin in Sangbaipi (Cortex Mori) of different commercial grades and species and obtained from different regions.

Method: Contents of morusin were determined by HPLC on an Alltima C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) with acetonitrile-water (58:42) as mobile phase. UV detection was conducted at 270 nm.

Result: The amounts of morusin were found to vary among samples of Cortex Mori bearing a yellow-brown outer layer and those without the yellow-brown cork layer. The morusin contents were also related to the thickness of Cortex Mori.

Conclusion: The method was simple, reproducible and reliable. It can be applied to the quality assessment of Cortex Mori.