A rapid and simple reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatograph
ic method has been developed for the quantitative estimation of the me
dicinally useful laxative principles sennoside A and sennoside B in se
nna. Using a Bondapak C-18 column eluted with methanol:water:acetic ac
id:tetrahydrofuran (60:38:2:2) both compounds were well resolved with
recoveries of 97 and 96% respectively.