Simultaneous Optimization for Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoids from Sophora flavescens Using Response Surface Methodology.

Weiyan Chen,Qinping Li,Jing Zhou,Weifeng Jin,Jin Han,Yuyan Zhang,Lincheng Zhang

doi:10.3390/molecules24010112

Weiyan Chen, Qinping Li

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24010112

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Abstract

The ultrasonic-assisted extraction process and antioxidant activity of flavonoids from Sophora flavescens were investigated in this study. In order to optimize the extraction of flavonoids from Sophora flavescens, the influence of extraction time, methanol concentration, ultrasonic temperature, and solvent-to-material ratio was analyzed. Results showed that the extraction yields reached a maximum with the extraction time of 30 min, methanol concentration of 80%, temperature of 80 °C, and solvent-to-material ratio of 26 mL/g. The flavonoids were determined by HPLC, and the mean yields of trifolirhizin, formononetin, isoxanthohumol, maackiain, and kurarinone under the optimal conditions were 2.570, 0.213, 0.534, 0.797, and 3.091 mg/g, respectively. The evaluation of vitro antioxidant activity exhibited Sophora flavescens flavonoids had a strong 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical-scavenging ability with IC50 of 0.984 and 1.084 mg/g, respectively. These results indicate that ultrasonic-assisted extraction is an efficient approach for the selective extraction of flavonoids, and response surface methodology further optimized the extraction.

Highlights

IntroductionThe chemical constituents in Sophora flavescens are mainly alkaloids and flavonoids
Sophora flavescens, the dry root of Sophora flavescens Ait., is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine that has the functions of clearing heat and diuresis, expelling dampness and anthelmintic [1].The chemical constituents in Sophora flavescens are mainly alkaloids and flavonoids
Sixty per cent methanol was selected as solvent, and the liquid-to-material ratio was fixed to 20:1 mL/g, all other conditions being equal

Summary

Introduction

The chemical constituents in Sophora flavescens are mainly alkaloids and flavonoids. Previous studies and clinical research mostly focused on the alkaloids [2,3,4,5]. Recent attention has been attracted by isopentenyl flavonoids contained in Sophora flavescens [6,7]. Isopentenyl flavonoids from Sophora flavescens have a variety of biological and chemical activities, and are the reason for the comprehensive evaluation of its quality [1]. It has been well demonstrated that isopentenyl flavonoids have extensive pharmacological activity and clinical applications such as bacteriostasis, antitumor, anti-inflammation, anti-arthritic, and in the regulation of dyslipidemia [8,9,10]

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Conclusion