Objective To compare the anthrone sulfuric acid method and phenol-sulfuric acid method determination of Smilax glabra with red and white transverse section, the polysaccharide content determination method is established. Methods The anthrone sulfuric acid method and phenol sulfuric acid method, under UV-visible spectrophotometer determination Smilax glabra with red and white transverse section, the content of polysaccharide in investigates methodol. and comparing the difference between the results determined by two methods. Results The content of phenol sulfuric acid method with the results above anthrone sulfuric acid method, the difference was statistically significant, linearity, repeatability and stability of phenol sulfuric acid method is superior to anthrone acid method. Conclusion Phenol sulfuric acid method than sulfuric acid anthrone method is more suitable for determination the content of Smilax glabra with red and white transverse section.