Abstract: Total saponins extraction from Syringa oblate Lindl. leaves was performed using the ethanol reflux extraction.Response surface methodology( RSM),based on a three level,four variable Box- Behnken design( BBD),was employed to obtain the best possible combination of ethanol concentration,liqued /material ratio,extraction temperature and extraction time. The optimum extraction conditions were as follows: ethanol concentration of 82%,liqued / material ratio of 25∶ 1 m L / g,extraction temperature of 85 ℃,extraction time of 116 min and extraction times of 2.Under these conditions,the experimental yield was( 69.655 ± 0.0145) mg / g.The difference of extract rate between actual value and theoretical value was 0.461 mg / g,therefore the extraction process obtained by response surface methodology was stable and reasonable,accurate and reliable. It was a feasible method to extract the total saponins from Syringa oblate Lindl.leaves.