Objective: To prepare self-microemulsion of total valepotriates in Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix and evaluate its quality. Method: The prescription was selected by solubility experiment

compatibility test and ternary phase diagram method.Taking rates of oil phase

emulsifier and co-emulsifier as factors

the particle size

self-emulsifying time and drug loading as indexes

simplex centroid mixture design was applied to optimize the prescription of self-microemulsion of total valepotriates in Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix

and the pharmaceutical properties of the self-microemulsion were evaluated. Result: Optimum formulation of the self-microemulsion was 10% of ethyl oleate

61% of polyoxyl 15 hydroxystearate

29% of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether;its average particle size was 38.8 nm

self-emulsifying time was 0.57 min

and drug loading was 131.23 mg·g-1 in the optimal prescription

cumulative dissolution at 5 min was 94.99%.Self-microemulsion of total valepotriates in Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix was affected by high temperature and illumination

indicating it should be stored at low temperature and avoid light. Conclusion: The preparation technology of this self-microemulsion is simple

it can significantly improve the solubility

bioavailability and dissolution of total valepotriates in Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix.