Phenolic compounds from Nerium oleander leaves: microwave assisted extraction, characterization, antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities.

A microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method was used for the extraction of phenolic compounds from Nerium oleander leaves. The influence of variables such as ethanol concentration, microwave power, irradiation time and liquid/solid ratio on polyphenol extraction was modelled using a second-order regression equation based on response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions for MAE were: extraction solvent 35% ethanol concentration, 500 W microwave power, 60 s irradiation time and a solvent/material ratio of 20 mL g