Objective: To optimize the technology for the microwave extraction of lignanoids from Isatidis Radix . Method: With the comprehensive extraction ratio of total lignanoids and clemastanin B (CB for short) as indexes

whose content was separately determined by UV spectrophotometry and HPLC

four main factors including microwave power

extraction time

volume of solvent and soak period were optimized by orthogonal test. Result: The optimal extraction process was that 15 times amount of water was added

soaking for 15 minutes with the microwave power at 700 w for 8 minutes

twice in all.Under that condition

the extraction ratio of total lignanoids and CB was 3.39% and 0.019 3%

which was close to the yield achieved by water decoction for 3.5 hours. Conclusion: Microwave extraction of lignanoids from Isatidis Radix is characterized by rapid

efficient

simple

energy conservation

and should be popularized in the future.