Epimedin C is an important component of Epimedium with many beneficial functions to human health. In this study, the feasibility of the extraction of epimedin C from fresh leaves of Epimedium using ultrasonic probe system was demonstrated. The high extraction yield of epimedin C was obtained under an optimum extraction condition: extraction temperature of 50 degrees C, methanol concentration 60% (v/v), ratio of liquor to solid 30 mL g(-1), and ultrasonication time 15 min, Scanning electron micrographs and transmission electron micrographs revealed that ultrasound could result in the disruptions of leaf tissues and cell walls, which enhanced the mass transfer of the solvents into the leaf materials and the soluble constituents into the solvents. Compared with traditional Soxhlet extraction method, ultrasonic-assisted extraction reduced extraction time, extraction temperature and solvent consumption, as well as achieved the similar recovery of epimedin C.

Industrial relevance: Epimedin C is considered one of the most important flavonoids with significant bioactivities in the famous medicinal plant, Epimedium. It shows great potential for becoming a nutraceutical in functional foods or a phytopharmaceutical for preventing and treating some serious and fatal illnesses. In this study, ultrasonic-assisted extraction of epimedin C directly from fresh Epimedium leaves was optimized for further large-scale industrial processing for the first time, and the extraction mechanism was discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.