A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the first time to quantify simultaneously the six major active ingredients in Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms, namely protocatechuic acid, syringin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, liriodendrin and isofraxidin. The analysis was performed by a reverse phase gradient elution with an aqueous mobile phase (containing 0.05% phosphoric acid) modified by acetonitrile and diode-array multiple-wavelength UV detector (DAD). Six regression equations showed good linear relationships between the peak area of each marker and concentration. The recoveries of the markers listed above were 92.3%, 93.9%, 90.3%, 93.1%, 94.3% and 90.7%, respectively. The relative standard deviation of intra-day and inter-day were less than 2.7% and 3.1%, respectively. This method was validated for specificity, accuracy, precision and limits of quantification. Medicinal materials of ten commercial brands were analyzed and found to contain different amounts of the six bioactive markers. The method developed can be used for the quality control of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms.