Microwave Extraction of Triterpene Glucoside from Fructus Leonuri

In the present study, a new method of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) has been used to extract triterpene glucoside from Fructus Leonuri. Various experimental conditions, such as microwave radiation time, microwave power, liquid/solid ratio and grinding degree of material were investigated. Optimal conditions of MAE of triterpene glucoside were determined as: duration of microwave radiation 5min, microwave power 495W, size of raw material less than 0.15mm, and ratio of liquid to solid 30:1. Comparing with conventional heating extraction, MAE of triterpene glucoside from Fructus Leonuri showed advantages of less time and high extraction rate. The time used with MAE is only 5 min with 76.56% extraction rate, while the conventional extraction method took two hours with about 68.46% extraction rate. This novel method is suitable for fast extraction of triterpene glucoside from Fructus Leonuri.