Abstract:Objective: To extract three kinds of tanshinones from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge by CO2-supercritical fluid extraction technology with different entrainers at different flow rates, and to investigate the effects of different entrainers. Methods:Three kinds of tanshinones were extracted at the optimal operation condition, and the massconcentration of three kinds of tanshinones in the extracts was determined by HPLC. Results: Among the three entrainers, the extracting effects of ethanol is the best, for the stronger polarity, followed by ethanol and normal octane. Conclusion: To increase the extracting rate of three kinds of tanshinones by CO2-supercritical fluid extraction technics, it is essential to use polar solvent as entrainer.