Abstract:Objective:To study the influence of decocting time on the amount of anthraquinone diffused from the cassia seeds.Method:The amount of anthraquinone in the decoctions made in different lengths of decocting time was determined by spectrophotometry (for intact seeds and powdered seeds).Result:Fast nonlinear diffusion district,slow linear diffusion district and ceasing diffusion district were shown on the light absorption decocting time curves,and appropriate smashing of the cassia seed facilitated the diffusion of anthraquinone.Conclusion:The best decocting time for anthraquinone to diffuse from the cassia seeds should be the ending time of the fast nonlinear diffusion district,while the se cond decoction should not be given up.