P.B. Lubsandorzhieva - Ph.D. (Pharm.), Senior Research Scientist, Institute of General and Experimental Biology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Ulan-Ude)
T.D. Dargaeva - Dr.Sc. (Pharm.), Chief Research Scientist, All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Moscow)
D.V. Popov - Ph.D. (Chem.), Research Scientist, Baikal Institute of Nature Managements, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Ulan-Ude)
N.B. Boldanova - Ph.D. (Biol.), Senior Research Scientist, Baikal Institute of Nature Managements, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Ulan-Ude)

The 7-component herb tea, which is normally used for reduction of cholesterol level and improvement of lipid exchange, was triply extracted with 40 % ethanol to give a dry extract. The tea consists of fruits of Rosa and a hawthorn, roots of a dandelion, roots of an Acorus Marsh, black leaves of bergenia, aerial parts of Polygonum avicularis L., flowers of a chamomile. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the main groups of biologically active substances were studied by the HPLC method. The following main components of both herb tea and its dry extract were identified: arbutin, catechin, the tannin, gallic acid, caffeic acid and ascorbic acid. Such organic acids as oxalic, amber and ascorbic acids and also free carbohydrates (glucose and fructose, in ratio 1:1,28 for ferb tea and 1:1,11 for dry extract) were found out. Pectin substances and water-soluble polysaccharides content was determined by gravimetric and spectrophotometric methods using an anthrone-sulfur reagent. In UV spectrum of the alcohol water extract of herb tea the main absorption maximums are (λ max): 215 and 283 nm, with addition of aluminum chloride - 402-413 nm. On the other hand, the main maximums in UV spectrum of 40 % extract solution in ethanol are 213, 285, 345 nm. In a differential spectrum of the extract with AlCl3 the absorption maximum was at 410 ± 2 nm, which is the same as for rutin, so, rutin was used as a standard. The norms of flavonoids content were offered for the herb tea studied and its extract: in terms of rutin - not less than 0,5 and 1,0 %, respectively; arbutin - not less than 0,05 and 0,1 %, respectively; tannins - not less than 3,0 and 4,0 %, respectively; ascorbic acid - not less than 1,0 and 2,0 % respectively.