Objective: The extraction condition of total saponins from Pulsatilla cenua by ultrasonic wave was optimized by single factor and orthogonal experiments.
Methods: The largest absorbency of saponin was intended to be 470 nm by wavelength scan method with the pulchinenoside B4 as control sample, the linear relationship was observed between the absorbency and the content of saponin in the range of 0 - 0.040 mg/mL.
Results: The optimal conditions of extraction was as following: 80% of alcohol concentration, 40 min of ultrasonic time, 1: 20 of solid to liquid ratio, 80 W of ultrasonic power and one time for extraction. Among them, alcohol had the most significant effect on the extraction of total saponins.
Conclusion: The content of total saponins in Pulsatilla cernua was 4. 32% under the optimal condition. The method developed here is efficient, stable, accurate and repeatable.