Abstract: Objective To determine the total content of alkaloids from Rhizoma coptidis in the traditional Chinese medicine prescription Gegenqinlian. Methods The extract of Gegenqinlian decoction and powder of the minipills were respectively purified with alumina column chromatography, and the total alkaloid content of Rhizoma coptidis in these preparations was determined using ultraviolet spectrophotometry at 350 nm. Results The total alkaloid content was 32.4 mg/g in the aqueous extract of Gegenqinlian decoction and 19.6 mg/g in Gegenqinlian minipills, with a recovery rate of 98.1% (RSD=2.9%). Conclusion The method we employed yields accurate and stable results with much sensitivity for quality control of Gegenqinlian minipills, and also provides reference for study of Gegenqinlian prescription and other prescriptions that contain Rhizoma coptidis.