Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) is an innovative sample preparation technique which has been developed as an alternative to conventional extraction methods in many areas, such as environmental, food and pharmaceutical analysis. The aim of the current review is to summarize the application of PLE technique in phytochemical analysis in last decade. The parameters, which may affect the extraction efficiency and selectivity, including the nature of solvent, temperature, pressure, extraction time and sample particle size and so on were explored. In addition, the procedure for method development and the parameters optimization strategies, univariate approach, orthogonal analysis and central composite design, were also discussed. Due to the obvious advantages of high extraction efficiency, short preparation time, little solvent consumption and good reproducibility, PLE undoubtedly have a broad application in phytochemical analysis. © 2010 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.