<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Optimal conditions for the extraction of casearins from <jats:italic>Casearia sylvestris</jats:italic> were determined using response surface methodology. The maceration and sonication extraction techniques were performed using a 3 × 3 × 3 full factorial design including three acidity conditions, three solvents of different polarities and three extraction times. The yields and selectivities of the extraction of casearins were significantly influenced by acidity conditions. Taking into account all variables tested, the optimal conditions for maceration extraction were estimated to involve treatment with dichloromethane saturated with ammonium hydroxide for 26 h. Similar yields and selectivities for casearins were determined for sonication extraction using the same solvent but for the much shorter time of 1 h. The best results for stabilisation of the fresh plant material were obtained using leaves that had been oven dried at 40°C for 48 h. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.