Abstract: AIM　To develop a pre-column derivatization HPLC method for the determination of asiaticoside in Centella asiatica samples from different habitats and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recipe Sanjinpian containing Centella asiatica. METHODS　The derivatizing reagent was benzoyl chloride in pyridine; the eluent consisted of methanol—tetrahydrofuran—water (90∶4∶6, 0.1% triethylamine); VD3 served as internal standard. The detection wavelength was set at 235 nm. RESULTS　Assay linearity was obtained in the range of 0.396～3.960 μg (γ=0.9985). The average recovery of asiaticoside from Centella asiatica and Sanjinpian were 99.6% and 99.2%, respectively. The results suggest that the method developed is suitable for estimating asiaticoside in plant material and Sanjinpian. CONCLUSION　This method was accurate, sensitive and reproducible. It offered a scientific basis for the routine assay of Centella asiatica and the TCM recipe Sanjinpian containing Centella asiatica.