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Summary. An ecofriendly solvent polarity based microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was developed for the rapid extraction and isolation of bioactive oleanolic acid from roots of Lantana camara L. Several different influential extraction parameters such as microwave power, extraction time, solvent type, and volume were studied in a systematic fashion for the determination of optimum extraction conditions. Simply modified and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method was also developed and validated for quantitative determination of oleanolic acid from roots of L. camara. Under optimum conditions, using a mixture of CHCl 3 :MeOH (60:40, v/v, 15 mL) as a solvent, 600 W microwave powers, and 50 °C temperature for 6 min of MAE produced a maximum yield of 1.23% (dry weight of roots). No degradation of the target analyte was observed at the optimum conditions as evidenced from the recovery studies performed with standard oleanolic acid. The proposed method also showed high degree of reproducibility; hence, it may be useful for maximum extraction and isolation of biologically active oleanolic acid.

Vamana Karma (therapeutic emesis) primarily a Samshodhana Karma (purification procedure) is one of the five Pradhana Karmas (chief procedures) of Panchakarma. It is mentioned in Ayurvedic texts that a person after Samyak Vamana (proper Vamana) experiences lightness of the body, Hrit (precordium), Kantha (throat/voice), and Shirah (head) and weakness. This procedure is effectively used in healthy and ailing persons for purification of body and extraction of Doshas (especially Kapha) in Ayurvedic system. It has been found worth to observe the physiological and biochemical changes during Vamana and after the procedure to understand the effect/safety margins of the procedure in healthy volunteers.

Ursolic acid (UA) is the most important bioactive phytoconstituent of Eucalyptus × hybrida Maiden leaves and exhibits anticancer, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiprotozoal activities. In this study, microwave-assisted extraction technique was employed for rapid isolation of UA from the leaves of Eucalyptus × hybrida and simultaneously HPLC-diode array method was developed for the quantification of UA. Effects of several experimental parameters on the extraction efficiencies of UA, such as type and volume of extraction solvents, microwave power and extraction time, were evaluated. The optimal extraction conditions were found to be 20 mL of a mixture of chloroform/methanol, 60:40; liquid-to-material ratio, 4:1; preleaching time, 10 min; microwave power, 600 W; temperature, 50°C; and microwave irradiation time, 5 min. Under the optimum conditions, the yield of UA was found to be 1.95 ± 0.08% in the dry leaves of Eucalyptus × hybrida. The results showed that microwave-assisted extraction is a more rapid extraction method with higher yield and lower solvent consumptions than the conventional method. It is a faster, convenient, and appropriate method and it may be used for rapid isolation and quantification of UA and other important phytoconstituents present in the leaves of Eucalyptus × hybrida.