Abstract: OBJECTIVE To establish a method for rapid screening of the acute toxicity of Caenorhabditis elegans with Gelsemium elegans. Benth as model organism. METHODS The Caenorhabditis elegans were synchronized to L₄ phase. The optimal experimental condition were determined by optimizing the DMSO concentration, Twain-80 dosage and exposure time. A rapid screening method of acute toxicity of Caenorhabditis elegans with Gelsemium elegans. Benth model organisms was established. RESULTS With M9 buffer medium as basic medium, the LC₅₀of Caenorhabditis elegans in gelsemine crude extract solution for 72 h was 39.722 mg·mL^-1(95% confidence limit was 33.802-45.985 mg·mL^-1). CONCLUSION The method is simple, rapid, short test period, small amount of sample, this method can be used as a rapid method to judge the change in toxicity study on acute toxicity of Gelsemium gelsemium.