Objective To establish a UV method of determination of adenosine in Ligia exotica. Methods Adenosine was extracted with 37℃ water and separated by TLC silica gel, the absorbance was detected at 260nm with UV spectrophotometry.Results The cabibration curve for adenosion was linear within the range of 1.0~20.0?g?mL -1, r=0.9998 (n=6), the average recovery was 99.3%,RSD=1.9% (n=3). Conclusion The method was simple, convenient and accurate for determination of adenosine in Ligia exotica.