Optimization of Phenolics Extraction from Strobilanthes cusia Leaves and their Antioxidant Activity

• Published in: Pharmaceutical chemistry journal 2022-06, Vol.56 (3), p.374-380
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Thi Cam Vi, Trinh, Le Thien Tam, Nguyen, Khanh Linh, Nguyen, Hoang Chinh, Tran, Thi Dung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Medicine; Methanol; Organic Chemistry; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pharmacy; Phenols
• ISSN: 0091-150X; 1573-9031
• DOI: 10.1007/s11094-022-02646-7

Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze is commonly used as a traditional medicine with widespread health benefits. This work proposed S. cusia leaves as a potential source of phenolic compounds for extraction and examined the antioxidant capacity of the phenolic-rich extract. Several solvents (ethanol, methanol, and water) were screened as extractants. Among these, methanol showed the highest extraction efficiency. Single-factor experiments and response surface methodology were then applied to optimize the extraction conditions. The maximum total phenolic content of 64.86 ± 0.32 mg GAE/g was obtained under the following extraction conditions: extraction time, 2.27 h; methanol-to-material ratio, 9.55 mL/g; aqueous methanol concentration, 63.54%. The phenolic-rich extract showed potential antioxidant capacity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical at an IC 50 value of 464.59 μg/mL. This study shows that S. cusia leaves are rich in phenolic constituents and suggests S. cusia leaf extracts as promising antioxidant agents for future applications.