Abstract: In this study,a method was developed for the determination of total polyphenol by Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetry in Sambucus chinensis Lindl which was collected in Guizhou province.The single factor trials and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to optimize the extraction process of polyphenols from S.chinensis. The developed method was applied for the determination of total polyphenol from different origins and parts of S.chinensis. Besides,the antioxidant activities of S.chinensis extract from different parts were investigated using in vitro antioxidant assays.The results showed that the content of total polyphenol of S.chinensis from different parts and different origins was different.The content in leaf > whole herb > stem > root.The IC50 of scavenging DPPH of leaves,whole herb,stems and roots were 1.14,1.70,2.25,2.65 mg/mL and ABTS radical 1.16,1.56,2.17,3.15 mg/mL,respectively.The method was simple,rapid and reproducible,which can be used for evaluating the quality and quantitative analysis of total polyphenols in S.chinensis.

Key words: Sambucus chinensis Lindl, total polyphenols, content determination, antioxidant activity