Efficient extraction and determination of prenylflavonol glycosides in Epimedium pubescens Maxim. using deep eutectic solvents

Abstract

Introduction The Epimedium herb, Yinyanghuo in Chinese, is a famous Chinese herbal medicine. In this study, an efficient extraction method was developed for the extraction of major bioactive constituent epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C and icariin from E. pubescens Maxim. using deep eutectic solvents (DESs). Methodology A series of choline chloride‐based DESs were synthesised for the extraction of four target compounds. DES composed of lactic acid and choline chloride with the ratio of 2:1 was selected as the most promising. Three vital factors affecting the extraction yields including water content, volume of DES aqueous solution and extraction time were optimised systematically by Box–Behnken experimental design in combination with response surface methodology. A high‐performance liquid chromatography ultraviolet (HPLC‐UV) method was developed for the sensitive and accurate quantification. Results The optimal extraction conditions were obtained as follows: water content of 17.5% (v/v), volume of DES aqueous solution 3.14 ml, and extraction time of 21 min. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the developed DES method could supply almost the same extraction yield as 50% ethanol, which were 98%, 99%, 97%, 96% for epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C and icariin, respectively. Conclusion The present study exhibited high efficiency in extraction of prenylflavonol glycosides in E. pubescens Maxim. Thus, DESs could be used as an alternative for efficient extraction and quantification of biologically active components from natural medical plants.

Progress in Composite Hydrogels and Scaffolds Enriched with Icariin for Osteochondral Defect Healing

“…Recently, Wang et al (2020) [ 66 ] have published a comparative study analyzing the yield of ICA extraction from Epimedium pubescens Maxim by an ultrasonic-assisted method using traditional solvents, such as methanol, 70% ethanol, 50% ethanol and water, on the one hand, and deep eutectic solvents with choline chloride as the first component, and lactic acid, ethylene glycol, glycerol and 1,2-propanediol as the second component, in different molar ratios, on the other hand. The results have shown that the highest yield (3.25 mg/g) was recorded for ICA extraction in 50% ethanol, while the second highest extraction yield (3.12 mg/g) was found for a mixture consisting of choline chloride:lactic acid mixture (1:2 ratio), indicating the successful use of the latter as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional solvents [ 66 ]. However, another team reported that the extraction efficiency of the L-proline:ethylene glycol mixture (1:4 ratio) was better, compared to the choline chloride:lactic acid mixture (1:2 ratio) and 50% ethanol [ 65 ].…”

“…In terms of ICA extraction techniques applied to the plant material, the classical one uses the extraction by stirring, but improved yields are obtained by heat refluxing, pressurized microwave-assisted, atmospheric pressure microwave-assisted, and ultrasonic-assisted techniques [ 67 ]. Wang et al (2020) [ 66 ] compared the stirring, heat refluxing, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction methods using deep eutectic solvents with low volatility and high viscosity. As expected, the extraction of ICA by the stirring method had the lowest yield, and the addition of heat did not improve the extraction yield.…”

Phytomass Valorization by Deep Eutectic Solvents—Achievements, Perspectives, and Limitations

“…ChCl in combination with 1,2-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, glycerol, or lactic acid in various molar ratios has been used to extract substances such as epimedin A, B, C, and icariin from the Chinese medicinal herb Epidemium pubescens Maxim. The highest extraction efficiency of prenylated flavonol glycosides was achieved using the DES composed of ChCl and lactic acid (1:2) [87]. Kulturbas and coworkers [110] used microwave extraction of Sudanese hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) by the DESs containing citric acid and glycerol or ethylene glycol.…”

Exploration of a ternary deep eutectic solvent for the efficient extraction of plantamajoside, acteoside, quercetin and kaempferol from Plantago asiatica L.

“…DESs have attracted wide attention because of their excellent physicochemical properties 16 . They can be simply synthesised by two or more almost non‐toxic ingredients through continuous stirring at low temperature 17,18 . Compared with traditional organic solvents (such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, etc.…”