The radiant sterilization effect of 60Co-γ ray and the influence on hydroxysafflor yellow A in carthamus flower and 25% ethanol extracts from carthamus flower were studied.Carthamus flower and 25% ethanol extracts from carthamus flower by 5 kGy and 10 kGy of radiation dosage were irradiated.The total amount of the miscellaneous bacterium and molds as well as the content of hydroxysafflor yellow A before and after irradiating were compared.After 5kGy of radiation, carthamus flower and ethanol extracts of carthamus flower could meet hygiene standardsAfter 5kGy of radiation, the content of hydroxysafflor yellow A in carthamus flower did not change dramatically; after 10kGy of radiation, hydroxysafflor yellow A decreased 34%.The hydroxysafflor yellow A in 25% ethanol extracts from carthamus flower decreased 44% and 71% after 5kGy and 10kGy of radiation, resp.The results of 60Co-γ ray radiation sterilization are satisfactory, but not any herbs and preparations can be sterilized by this method.