Abstract: The steroidal saponin of 18 species of Paris were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed by means of HPLC. Methanolic extracts obtained from the dried roots of Paris plants were com-bined and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in H2O and then the solution chromatographed on a DIAION HP-20 column eluting with H2O and 90% MeOH successively. The 90% MeOH fraction was concentrated in vacuo to give a residue crude saponins. This residue was chromatographed on a ODS column with MeOH--H2O (9: 1 ) to divide into three fractions. The each fraction was further separated and purified by ODS or Rp- 8 column chlumatography using MeOHH2O with increasing H2O content as eluent to give complefely separated each chemical constituents. The identification of the each chromatographic peak separation on HPLC was compared with retention time and TLC as well as MS detection of pure compound separated from HPLC. The internal standard and calibration curve method were used for the quantitative analysis.

Key words: steroidal saponins