Orthogonal array design in optimizing the extraction efficiency of active constituents from roots of Panax notoginseng

Abstract

The root of Panax notoginseng (Radix Notoginseng, Sanqi) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, which is mainly cultivated in Wenshan of Yunnan China. The identified active constituents in Radix Notoginseng include saponin, ssavonoid and polysaccharide; however, the levels of these active constituents vary greatly with different extraction processes. This variation causes a serious problem in standardizing the herbal extract. By using HPLC and spectrophotometry, the contents of notoginsenoside R(1), ginsenoside R(g1), R(b1), R(d), and ssavonoids were determined in the extracts of Radix Notoginseng that were derived from different processes of extraction according to an orthogonal array experimental design having three variable parameters: nature of extraction solvent, extraction volume and extraction time. The nature of extraction solvent and extraction volume were two distinct factors in obtaining those active constituents, while the time of extraction was a subordinate factor. The optimized condition of extraction therefore is considered to be 20 volumes of water and extracted for 24 h. In good agreement with the amount of active constituents, the activity of anti-platelet aggregation was found to be the highest in the extract that contained a better yield of the active constituents. The current results provide an optimized extraction method for the quality control of Radix Notoginseng.

The Relevance of Traditional Knowledge Systems for Ethnopharmacological Research: Theoretical and Methodological Contributions

“…Therefore, the multifunctional effects of saponins from Panax notoginseng might be a good candidate in mediating the antioxidation activities because of the high extractability of saponins by water. This speculation was in accordance to our previous finding that the amounts of four active constituents, notoginsenoside R 1 , ginsenoside R g1 , R b1 and R d , by water extraction were higher than that of 30% and 70% ethanol extractions [36]. In addition to saponins, a flavonol glycoside, named RNFG, isolated from Panax notoginseng also possesses the neuroprotective effect against amyloid-β-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity at cellular level, and which improves the learning and memory process in rats [18].…”

Ginsenoside Rg1, a major active component isolated from Panax notoginseng, restrains tubular epithelial to myofibroblast transition in vitro

“…At least partly, the mechanism is related to suppress the expression of P-ERK1/2. Considering that ginsenoside Rg1 is the natural herbal active constituent isolated from Panax notoginseng, which has been used as a folk medicine in China for thousands of years (Dong et al, 2005), it is unlikely that ginsenoside Rg1 has serious toxicity. However, further studies are still necessary to clarify the exact role of ginsenoside Rg1 in renal fibrosis.…”

“…They are all derivatives from 20 (S)-protopanaxadiol, 20 (S)-protopanax-panaxatriol or Dammarane type triterpene. These active constituents are also used as markers for quality control and standardization of Panax species (Dong et al, 2005;Li et al, 2006;Guan et al, 2007). Ginsenoside Rg1, a panaxatriol saponin, is one of the major active molecules isolated from PNS (Li et al, 2006).…”

“…Panax notoginseng is cultivated mainly in Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan province, China, with its output accounting for 85% of the total production in China (Dong et al, 2003;Hong et al, 2005). Total panax notoginsenoside (PNS), isolated from Panax notoginseng, is a mixture of more than 20 Dammarane type saponins (Dong et al, 2005;Li et al, 2006;Guan et al, 2007). PNS displays important role on the treatment of hematinic, anti-inflammatory, coronary heart disease, the sequelae of cerebrovascular accident, anti-fatigue, hepatoprotection, anticancer and immunological disease (Ng, 2006).…”

Effect of triterpene acids of Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. leaf on inflammatory cytokine and mediator induction from alveolar macrophages of chronic bronchitic rats

“…A voucher specimen (EJ-01) has been deposited at School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University (Hefei, China). Orthogonal design was used to optimize the technology in extraction [7]. The optimized condition of extraction therefore is considered to be 12 volumes of ethanol and extracted for 3 times of 2 h each.…”