Abstract: The contents of total phenols and total flavonoids from different parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge were determined. Antioxidant activities of the extracts from root, leaves and stem of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge were evaluated by reducing power on Fe3+, scavenging capability on DPPH free radicals and inhibitory effect on PUFA using vitamin C as the reference. Results indicated that the contents of total phenolic acids and total flavonoids from leaves were significantly higher than those in root and stem. Total phenols in leaves were 1.07 folds and 6.81 folds higher than that of root and stem, respectively. Total flavonoids in leaves were 4.79 folds and 14.5 folds higher than that of root and stem, respectively. Antioxidant activities of ethanol extract from leaves were significantly higher than those of root and stem. The reducing power, scavenging capability on DPPH free radicals and inhibitory effect on PUFA of extracts from Salvia miltiorrhiza were 1.08-, 1.01- folds and 5.78-folds higher than those of vitamin C. A positive correlation was observed between the content of total phenols and antioxidant activities, which demonstrated that the antioxidant activity was related to the content of total phenols.

Key words: Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, total flavonoids, total phenols, antioxidant activity