ABSTRACT
Ultrasound-assisted extraction is evaluated as a simpler and more effective alternative to conventional extraction methods for the extraction of bioactive compounds from natural product. This study investigated the use of ultrasound-assisted extraction to extract three dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans, including tracheloside, hemislienoside, and arctiin from Hemistepta lyrata. Factors such as extraction solvent, solvent concentration, solvent to material ratio, and extraction time were examined. High-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection was used for simultaneous determination of the target compounds in the corresponding extracts. Results showed that the optimal parameters to extract the target compounds from H. lyrata were as follows: extraction solvent: 70% aqueous ethanol; solvent to material ratio: 20:1 (v/w, ml/g); extraction time: 20 min under the conditions: ultrasonic frequency: 40 Hz; extraction temperature: 30 ˚C. With all these merits, ultrasound-assisted extraction should be considered for wider application in the extraction of tracheloside, hemislienoside, and arctiin from other medicinal plants.