Abstract: Aim A reliable high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for determination of germacrone in rat plasma. Methods The plasma samples were treated with acetonitrile and analyzed by HPLC with UV detection at 244 nm. Results The limit of detection was 100 ng·mL^-1 for germacrone in plasma and the linear range was 0.100 4-15.06 μg·mL^-1 in plasma. The RSD of intra-day and inter-day assay was 1.87%-4.29% and 1.29%-5.15%, respectively. The recoveries of germacrone were over 95%. The endogenous substances in plasma did not show any interference in the analysis. Conclusion The method is accurate and convenient, and suitable for pharmacokinetic studies of germacrone in rats.

Key words: high-performance liquid chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, germacrone, germacrone, volatile oil of Rhizoma Curcumae, volatile oil of Rhizoma Curcumae