## 4 Discussion  
The creation of \"rich extracts\", which are concentrated formulations containing a wide variety of bioactive components present in plants, has been prompted by the expansion of phytochemicals' potential. MAE is a superior choice for producing high-quality, polyphenol-rich crude extracts, as it offers improved extraction speed, reduced solvent  
Figure 4: (**a**) Yield profiles of the crude cinnamon leaf extract obtained by MAE and conventional HRE: (**b**) TPC, (**c**) TPC, (**d**) inhibition concentration against DPPH, (**e**) energy consumption for different extraction times. usage, and enhanced yields of antioxidant compounds through targeted heating, which accelerates cell wall disruption and improves solvent penetration [29]. The appropriate ranges for MAE variables are as follows: an extraction time in the range of 5-25 min, a microwave power in the range of 70-350 W, and a solid-to-liquid ratio in the range of 1:60 to 1:300 g/mL. These ranges allow the RSM model to better capture the underlying relationships between the variables and the responses. In explaining the factor interactions in MAE for PCL production, MAE time and microwave power interact to improve the efficiency of the extraction process. Increases in microwave power and an optimized extraction time generally lead to higher extract yield by rapidly heating the solvent and matrix. This results in an enhanced mass transfer rate and improved solubility of antioxidant compounds due to a reduction in surface tension and solvent viscosity with higher microwave power. These factors contribute to better sample wetting and deeper matrix penetration, facilitating the release of antioxidant compounds [30]. However, prolonged heat exposure during the MAE process can cause the degradation of these compounds due to their thermal sensitivity [9]. Phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, are known for their thermal sensitivity, making them prone to degradation or structural changes when exposed to high temperatures. In particular, flavonoids are highly susceptible to oxidation, epimerization, hydrolysis, and polymerization-elevated thermal conditions [31]. In the case of short MAE times with a low solid-liquid ratio, the microwave energy facilitates the diffusion and solubility of flavonoids, enabling effective extraction even with a smaller solvent volume. On the other hand, when both the MAE time and solid-liquid ratio are higher, the increased solvent volume enhances the penetration of the solvent into the matrix, while the extended MAE time allows for a more thorough extraction, leading to higher flavonoid yields. A longer extraction time allows for a more complete extraction of bioactive compounds, including antioxidants, from the matrix. It can be observed that a longer extraction time enhances the DPPH scavenging activity of the extract. This finding is consistent with the results reported by [32] in their study on chardonnay grape marc. The recommended optimum extraction conditions were determined to be an MAE time of 25 min, a microwave power of 214.24 W, and a solid-liquid ratio of 1:195.76 g/mL, yielding predicted yield, TPC, TFC, and IC\({}_{50}\) values of 18.56%, 22.86 mg GAE/g, 13.89 mg QE/g, and 83.30 ug/mL, respectively. These conditions are ideal for producing a polyphenol-rich crude extract of cinnamon leaves. Related research indicates that the methanolic extract of _C. iners_ leaves may contribute to peripheral analgesic effects during the inflammatory phase [33] and inhibit the proliferation of various cancer cell lines, showing significant antikinase activity against MKK1 [34]. The methanolic extract of _C. iners_ leaves demonstrated greater reducing power than the standard antioxidant vitamin E at concentrations of 1.00-2.50 mg/mL, with its reducing power increasing proportionally with concentration [35]. In the case of the medicinal plant Cinnamomum, the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity of leaf extracts from several Cinnamomum species (_C. burnamni_, _C. cassia_, _C.