In this paper a graphene (GR) modified carbon ionic liquid electrode that was obtained by one-step potentiostatic electroreduction of a graphene oxide solution was described. The resulting electrode displayed excellent electrochemical performance due to the formation of highly conductive GR film on the electrode surface. Electrochemistry of rutin was carefully studied with a pair of well-defined redox peaks appeared in pH 2.5 buffer solution. Rutin exhibited a diffusion-controlled two-electron and two-proton transfer reaction on the modified electrode with the electrochemical parameters calculated. The reduction peak currents are linearly related to rutin concentration in the concentration range from 0.070 to 100.0 mu mol/L with a detection limit as low as 24.0 nmol/L (3 sigma). The modified electrode displayed excellent selectivity with good stability, and was applied to the determination of rutin content in tablet, human serum and urine samples with satisfactory results. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.