The Development of Dry Extract Technology from Callus Culture Biomass of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i>

Abstract

Introduction. Plant biologically active substances (BAS) are valuable for drug development in view of their pharmacological effects and metabolic proximity to the human body. As an example of a useful herbal raw material, the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis, which contain species-specific flavonoids, baicalin and scutellarin, possess the potency of creating antiviral drugs and functional nutrition systems with antioxidant and adaptogenic properties. In order to levelling the existing limitations of using intact plant in pharmaceutical practice, we proposed a nature-saving and ergonomic approach of cultivation of S. baicalensis cells under in vitro conditions. This technology allows to extract active substances of S. baicalensis without causing damage to the environment and contributes to the reduction of the time required to produce the necessary amount of plant material with an increase in the efficiency of production processes.Aim. The development of dry extract technology from S. baicalensis callus biomass.Materials and methods. The object of the study – biomass of S. baicalensis cells obtained from callus culture. Functional characteristics (friability, Hausner’s coefficient, Carr’s index, fractional composition, as well as porosity and hygroscopicity) of S. baicalensis biomass and dry extract on its basis were determined according to the methods of the EAEU Pharmacopoeia. Extraction of plant material was carried out by maceration method with heating in a water bath with reflux condenser. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of BAS in the dry extract was carried out by spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. Quality indicators and functional characteristics of the finished product were evaluated in accordance with pharmacopeial requirements.Results and discussion. The functional characteristics of the S. baicalensis biomass were evaluated and the possibility of obtaining a dry extract on its basis was confirmed. We selected parameters of BAS extraction process, established the presence of baicalin in the biomass extract and carried out a comparative evaluation of aglycone profile in the extract based on callus culture and roots of intact plant. The properties of the finished product were evaluated for compliance with regulatory requirements, as well as technological characteristics.Conclusion. The quality indicators of the dry extract of the S. baicalensis biomass satisfy the normative conditions. The technological characteristics of dry extract are suitable for the utilisation as a phytosubstance for the development of medicines of combined type and dietary supplements.