Abstract: OBJECTIVE To optimize the extraction and purification conditions of proanthocyanidins from Nelumbinis Receptaculum and to evaluate its antioxidant activity. METHODS An orthogonal experiment L₉(3⁴) was applied to obtain the best extraction conditions, and macroporous adsorption resin was used to purify the crude extract. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of proanthocyanidins from Nelumbinis Receptaculum and grape seed were evaluated with two different in vitro assays methods: scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radicals. RESULTS The highest extraction yield of 91.3% was obtained when extraction times, ratio of solvents to raw material and concentration of ethanol were 3 h, 8 and 50%, respectively. And the crude extract was purified with macroporous adsorption resin AB-8 to gain the final extract with proanthocyanidins purity of 80.7%. The antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins extract from Nelumbinis Receptaculum was similar to that from grape seed, which was much better than vitamin C. CONCLUSION An extraction and purification process with procedural simplicity, high efficiency is established for the preparation of Nelumbinis Receptaculum proanthocyanidins extract which can be futher developed because of its strong antioxidant activity.