[Objective] To optimize the extracting conditions of ursolic acid from FRUCTUS CHAENOMELIS and determine its content, so as to provide scientific evidence for the development, application and quality control of ursolic acid. [Method] The extraction conditions of ursolic acid were optimized by orthogonal test, and content of ursolic acid was determined by HPLC. [Result] The optimal extraction conditions were as follows: extraction duration of 30 min, extraction solvent of absolute ethanol, ethanol dosage of 25.0 ml. Under the optimum conditions, the content of ursolic acid was 0.324%. Ursolic acid concentration had good linear relationship with peak area within the range of 0.650-3.250 μg/ml (r=0.999 1), and the mean recovery rate of ursolic acid was 99.20% with RSD of 0.30%. [Conclusion] The optimum extraction conditions were stable and efficient, and HPLC method was simple, sensitive and accurate. This study provided scientific evidence for the utilization and quality control of ursolic acid.
