Determination of rutin and quercetin in Chinese herbal medicine by ionic liquid-based pressurized liquid extraction-liquid chromatography-chemiluminescence detection

► The possible extraction mechanism of IL-PLE was discussed for the first time. ► The [C4mim][Cl] was more efficient than the other two ILs in the PLE. ► The high temperature and pressures of PLE were the main reasons for the high extraction efficiency. ► The selectivity of CL detector was better than UV detector when they were allowed to combine with IL-PLE. ► IL-PLE was a rapid, effective, readily automated, simple operation and environmentally friendly approach.