Optimization of lycorine using Response Surface Methodology, extraction methods and in vitro antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities from the roots of Giant Spider Lily: A medicinally important bulbous herb

Abstract

Crinum x amabile Donn ex Ker Gawl. is an ornamental and medicinally important bulbous plant. It is a vital source of an anticancer alkaloid called lycorine (LY). In the present study, LY extraction was enhanced by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken Design (BBD). Optimal responses were recorded at 95% ethanol concentration, 1:30 g/mL SS ratio and 30 min extraction time with the highest recovery of LY (5.84 mg/g DW) when roots were subjected to ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE). Among tested extraction methods, highest LY content was noted from UAE (3.74±0.00 mg/g DW), while lowest in Soxhlet extraction (1.68±0.007 mg/g DW). Promising antioxidant activities like DPPH (0.10±0.05 mg AAE/g extract), ABTS (2.44±0.04 mg AAE/g extract), FRAP (3.66±0.08 mg Fe (II)E/g extract), and PMA (3.680±0.12 mg AAE/g extract) were recorded from the extract obtained through UAE. Similarly, remarkable α-amylase activity (54.04±0.04 %) and the highest alkaloid content (1.5±0.01 mg SE/g extract) were recorded from the UAE extracts. This study proved that parameters such as SS ratio and extraction time positively influence the extraction of LY. Roots of C. x amabile could be used as a potent source of an anticancer alkaloid and as an innovative drug to control oxidative stress related disorders.