OBJECTIVE:To investigate penetrative effects of a penetration enhancer and multiple penetration enhancers combination with different proportions on Euodia rutaecarpa superfines cataplasm,so as to optimize enhancer and their concentrations. METHODS:Modified Franz diffusion cell was employed with isolated mice abdominal skin as barrier. HPLC method was adopted to detect the effects of a penetration enhancer (propanediol,azone,oleic acid),multiple penetration enhancers (propanediol- azone,propanediol-oleic acid,propanediol-azone-oleic acid),their proportion and amount on accumulative permeation quantity (Qn)of evodiamine and rutaecarpin in Euodia rutaecarpa superfines cataplasm. RESULTS:The penetrative effect of a penetration enhancer propanediol was significantly better than that of other one penetration enhancers and multiple penetration enhancers;the higher proportion of propanediol in multiple penetration enhancer system was,the better penetrative effects of evodiamine and rutaecarpin had. Using 3%,5 % and 7 % propanediol as enhancer,Q36 h of evodiamine were 11.290,14.332 and 13.537 μg/cm2,and those of rutaecarpin were 11.965,14.856 and 13.901 μg/cm2. CONCLUSIONS:The penetrative effect of 5% propanediol is the best,and can be used as enhancer for E. rutaecarpa superfines cataplasm.