Abstract:Objective: To investigate the effect of deslagging and then decocting in Xiao Chaihutang. Method: HPLC was performed on Welch Ultimate XB-C18 column (4.6 mm×150 mm, 5 μm), with acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid solution as the mobile phase for gradient elution; the column temperature was 26 ℃ and flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1; and the detection wavelength was set at 203, 252 and 280 nm. Result: The content of saikosaponin a in the decoction with deslagging and then decocting was 62.41% and 49.01% higher than the other two kinds of decoction; the content of saikosaponin d was 59.47% and 28.71% higher than the other two kinds of decoction; and the content of saikosaponin b1 was 41.93% and 16.14% higher than the other two kinds of decoction. The content of Ginsenoside Re in the decoction with deslagging and then decocting was 33.96% and 0.20% higher than the other two kinds of decoction. In the method of deslagging and then decocting, the contents of baicalin, ginsenoside Rb1, ammonium glycyrrhetate and liquiritinwere slightly less than those in twice decocting method, but higher than those in no-deslagging and then decocting method. The contents of various constituents in no-deslagging and then decocting method was the lowest in three kinds of decoction method (except 6-gingerol). Conclusion: Results in this paper can effectively reflect the quality of the different decocting methods.In the three decocting methods, deslagging and then decocting method could significantly improve the effective components of bupleurum decoction in the dissolution, enhance the clinical efficacy of Xiao Chaihutang to a certain extent, and provide a good experiment basis for quality evaluation of deslagging and then decocting for Xiao Chaihutang from Shanghanlun.