Abstract: In order to select the best extraction method and extraction solvent,the extraction methods including ultrasonic,hot reflux and soxhlet and the extraction solvents including methanol,acetone and chloroform were used to extract chelidonine from Chelidonium majus. The content of chelidonine was determined by HPLC. Diamonsil C₁₈ reverse phase column was used as chromatographic analysis column.The mobile phase was acetonitrile-1% triethylamine (20:80) (adjusted pH to 3 using phosphoric acid) and the UV detection wavelength was 290 nm.The best extraction method was determined to be soxhlet extraction and the best extraction solvent was acetone.The content of chelidonine in C.majus was 0.118%.The linear range of chelidonine was 0.01-0.10 mg/mL (r=0.9999, n=6).The average recovery was 97.48%±1.46%,RSD was 1.50%.Experimental results showed that acetone soxhlet extraction method can more comprehensively extract chelidonine in C.majus. The ddeveloped HPLC method was simple,rapid and accurate.It can be used for quality control of C.majus and its preparations.

Key words: Chelidonium majus, chelidonine, extraction method, extraction solvent, HPLC