Objective: To study on effect of saponins from root bark of Aralia chinesis with different cutting methods. Method: Using fresh cutting method and dry cutting method to cut root bark of A. chinesis

determinated total saponins by spectrophotometry which is a specificity for saponins. At the same time

determinated the content of oleanolic acid by HPLC. Result: Regression equations revealed good linear relationships between peak-area ratios and concentrations. Oleanolic acid had good linearity in the range of 2.08-10.4 mg·L-1( r =0.999 5)

average recovery was 98.33 %

RSD 0.83 %( n=6 ). The content of total sapnins from root bark of A. Chinesis with fresh-cut method was 8.26%

dry cutting was 6.59%.The content of oleanolic acid was 5.26 % and 5.23 % respectively. Conclusion: Root bark of A. chinesis using fresh-cut method was superior to conventional dry cutting method

it could effectively reduce losses of saponins component

it could supply reference for development and utilization of A. chinesis in future.