Optimizing Echinodorus macrophyllus extracts: Assessing extraction conditions for chemical marker enrichment and evaluating inhibitory effects on cytokines release by THP-1 cells

Abstract

This study investigated various extractive methods and solvents with the goal of producing standardized extracts of Echinodorus macrophyllus for future industrial applications. Extracts were prepared through percolation, dynamic maceration, and static maceration, utilizing 96°GL ethanol (EtOH) and hydroethanolic solutions (90% EtOH, 70% EtOH, and 50% EtOH) as solvents. The highest extraction yields were achieved with 70% EtOH and 50% EtOH across all extractive methods. Both percolation and static maceration produced 50% and 70% EtOH extracts with elevated concentrations of chemical markers (cis- and trans-aconitic acids, homoorientin, chicoric acid, swertisin, caffeoyl-feruloyl-tartaric acid, and di-feruloyl-tartaric acid) and demonstrated superior inhibition rates of TNF and IL-1β release by LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. Notably, these extracts were obtained in the form of fine powders, distinguishing them from extracts derived from 96°GL EtOH and 90% EtOH solutions. While the 50% EtOH and 70% EtOH extracts prepared by percolation or static maceration exhibited similar chemical composition and biological effects, percolation emerged as the preferred technique due to its ability to generate larger extract volumes. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed robust correlations between these extracts and the contents of chemical markers but did not unveil significant correlations between higher marker contents and the inhibition of TNF and IL-1β release by THP-1 cells. These findings provide a basis for the future production of high-quality herbal preparations, emphasizing the critical role of extraction methods and solvent selection in pharmaceutical applications.