In current work, effects of different drying procedures as well as of different solvents on extraction of antioxidants from M. nigra leaves have been studied. Initially, samples were dried using different drying procedures (shade, oven and microwave drying) and extracted using different solvents (ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol) in combination with microwave-assisted extraction technique. Antioxidant potentials of extracts were determined in terms of total phenolics, total flavonoids and ascorbic acid contents. In addition, radicals (DPPH• & ABTS•+) scavenging potentials were also determined. Results revealed that drying methods have no significant influence on recovery of antioxidants from sample matrix. However, methanolic extracts exhibited highest antioxidant potential that confirmed superiority of methanol as extraction media over the other solvents used. In addition, microwave-assisted extraction technique for the recovery of antioxidants from M. nigra leaves was optimized using response surface methodology. For the purpose, oven dried samples were further extracted using methanol under different sets of extraction conditions (microwave intensity and extraction time). A central composite design was employed to determine the optimum conditions for the maximum recovery of antioxidant components from leaf matrix. Significant effects of different extraction conditions were recorded on recovery of antioxidant components and radical scavenging potential. On the basis of results, optimum conditions for the recovery of antioxidant components from M. nigra leave have been prescribed.