Abstract: The effect of radiation sterilization on the Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. skin was investigated and the influence of radiation on the main components and their pharmacological activity was discussed. Radiation doses up to l0 kGy have no noticeable influence on the main components of the Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. skin, but the thin layer chromatography showed that the sample two days after irradiation lost a speck at position R_f=0.7 in the graph in comparison with the control sample. Stored the sample for one month, however, the speck reappeared in the graph, Radiation at dose of 10 kGy has no obvious influence on the acute toxity and the pharmacological activity of the Paeonia suffruticosa Andt. skin.