Solvent and TLC-fractionations of the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza have yielded the results as follows ; Solvent fractions Petr. ether Ether Ethy1 acetate Water Control 100uL 0 0.2 35.1 41.9 43.0 50ul 0.7 3.7 37.2 42.0 TLC-fractionation and the Cytotoxic activity Fractions I II III IV V VI Petr. ehter Control 100uL13.0 7.1 16.8 1.2 30.9 23.2 0.5 48.3 50uL 37.1 26.1 30.0 20.1 45.7 27.2 29.7 Among the solvent fractions the petroleum ehter fraction corresponding to the concentration of 20ug/ml has showed the strongest Cytotoxic activity. (no cell survived) A double dilution of the fraction(10ug/ml) still showed strong activity.(0.2 cells survived) The ether fraction contained strong activity. Of the fraction which have veen obtained by a prcparative silicagel TLC I, II, III & IV were cytotoxic, but V and VI were inactive Howevcr, it is worthwhile to note that no one of these has no strong Cytotoxicity as the pertoleum ether fraction itself. This observation says that the active fractions could be additive or synergic to each other. The most active fraction, IV, was scrached out from the TLC and its UV-spectrum taken. The absorption maxima were 207 and 272 nm, indicating the presence of a flavanone strucuture.