Abstract: A method of gradient elution HPLC with UV detection was developed for the analysis of nine major constituents of Salvia species, a commonly used TCM herb, namely danshensu, protocatechuic acid, protocatechualdehyde, salviano lic acid B, methyltanshinone, dihydrotanshinone, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone II A. In the present study, a Shimadzu CLC-ODS column (150 mm×6 mm, 5 μm) was utilized and 0.5% formic acid (A) and acetonitrile (B) were used for gradient elution at a total flow rate of 0.8 mL·min^-1. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r>0.999) within test ranges. Extraction was conducted by refluxing methanol (10 mL) with dried herb (0.5 g) for 1.0 h.The assay was simple, convenient and reproducible. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of nine major constituents in thirteen Salvia species and the results showed that the contents of Salvia components vary in different species and origin. Tanshinone was hardly detected in S.yunnanensis and S. prionitis, therefore they are not suitable for clinical use as Danshen.

Key words: Salvia spp., Salvia spp., HPLC, HPLC, Tanshinone, Tanshinone, Salvianolic acid, Salvianolic acid