Objective: To optimize extraction process of flavonoids from Schizonepetae Spica and provide a reference for development of this medicinal herb. Method: Ethanol concentration

the amount of ethanol and extraction time were selected as independent variables

overall desirability of extracting amounts of hesperidin

luteolin and apigenin as dependeng variable

data of overall desirabilities were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation and regressed by multiple linear

response surface methodology was used to optimize extraction technology and predictive analyze.HPLC was adopted to determine contents of hesperidin

luteolin and apigenin with mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.4% phosphoric acid solution for gradient elution and detection wavelength of 283 nm. Result: Optimal extraction technology was as following:extracted 2 times with 15-fold the amount of 73% ethanol for 2 h per time;extracting amounts of hesperidin

luteolin and apigenin were 3.991

1.307

0.589 mg·g-1

respectively.Overall desirability was 0.925 3

whose deviation was -2.14% by comparing with the predictive value. Conclusion: This optimized extraction technology is convenient

accurate and suitable for industrial production of total flavonoids from Schizonepetae Spica.