Supercritical CO2 Extraction, Quantification and Pharmacological Screening of Steroidal Saponins from Fruits of Momordica charantia L

Abstract

Momordica charantia L. (MC), a Cucurbitaceae family member, is the most recognized plant for its hypoglycemic activity. Charantin, a steroidal saponin, is the most studied potent phytochemical in MC for diabetes. This research paper aims at the extraction, quantification and pharmacological screening of charantin, from fruits of MC. Extraction was performed by using traditional soxhlet extraction and modified supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) techniques, and compared the results of both techniques in terms of percent extract yield, quantity of charantin and in-vitro antidiabetic activity of both extracts. (Soxhlet extract and SC-CO2 extract). Further, quantitative estimation of charantin in both extracts was done by HPLC-UV method and it was validated as per the ICH guidelines. When compared to soxhlet extract, the SC-CO2 extract displayed high antihyperglycemic activity by blocking α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Study also indicates that SC-CO2 extract had higher antioxidant activity (0.25 mg/mL) than soxhlet extract (0.33 mg/mL), signifying the SFE technique’s efficiency over the traditional soxhlet extraction method. In-vitro antidiabetic study indicated that the biomolecule charantin extracted from fruits of MC possess potent antidiabetic and high antioxidant activities and, therefore, hold potential for manufacturing innovative natural remedies to treat diabetes and its complications with no side effects.