Abstract: The content of total flavonoids in Polygonum chinense L. was determined by UV visible spectrophotometry. The content of total flavonoids was used as the evaluation index, and the extraction method, solvent, solid-liquid ratio, extraction time, and extraction frequency were used as the evaluation factors, on the basis of single factor experiments, L₉（3³） orthogonal design was used to optimize the extraction process of total flavonoids in Polygonum chinense L.. The optimal extraction process was 70% ethanol extraction solvent, with a solid-liquid ratio of 1∶70 （m/V）, ultrasonic extraction for 45 minutes, and extraction twice. Using rutin as a reference substance, its absorbance was measured at a wavelength of 500 nm, with an average recovery rate of 98.76% and a relative standard deviation of 1.72%. The results showed that the total flavonoids content of Polygonum chinense L. from 13 production areas ranged from 22.205 4 to 52.173 7 mg/g, with a relative standard deviation （RSD） of 1.07% to 2.81%. The total flavonoids content in 13 production areas was ranked as follows： Guilin City,Nanning City, and Yulin City,Baise City,Hezhou City,Hechi City,Guigang City,Fangchenggang City,Qinzhou City,Wuzhou City,Laibin City,Chongzuo City,Liuzhou City from high to low. This method had good precision, stability, and repeatability, and could be used as a basis for the quality evaluation of Polygonum chinense L. produced in Guangxi.

Key words: Polygonum chinense L., total flavonoids, orthogonal design, extraction process, UV visible spectrophotometry, content determination, Guangxi