Abstract: To provide evidence for screening the poisonous components and physiologically active alkaloids, this study was performed to analyze primarily the alkaloids of Swainsona salsula. Preliminary tests, thin layer chromatographic analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrum analysis were used to determine the alkaloid components extracted from Swainsona salsula in Ningxia. The results of the thin layer chromatographic analysis showed that the alkaloids of Swainsona salsula and matrine shared the same TLC spot, TLC retention Rf value. Gas chromatography-mass spectrum analysis also indicated that Swainsona salsula alkaloids and matrine shared the same GC retention time and mass spectra. However,Swainsonine in these samples could not be detected by thin layer chromatographic and gas chromatography-mass spectrum. The results showed that Swainsona salsula collected from Ningxia was ascertained to contain substantial anounts of matrine, but no Swainsonine was presence in Swainsona salsula or the Swinasonine level of the plant was low the detectable limit in this experiment.

Key words: Swainsona salsula; alkaloids; matrine; Swainsonine