Optimisation of the extraction conditions of natural colourant carthamin from safflower (Carthamus tinctoriusL.) by response surface methodology

Optimized Separation of Carthamin from Safflower by Macroporous Adsorption Resins and Its Protective Effects on PC12 Cells Injured by OGD/R via Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

The growing demand for safe natural products has reignited people's interest in natural food pigments. Here, we proposed the use of macroporous adsorption resins (MARs) to separate and purify carthamin from safflower. The optimal parameters for carthamin purification with HPD400 MAR were determined as follows: a mass ratio of crude carthamin in sample solution to wet resin of 0.3, a crude carthamin solution concentration of 0.125 g·mL-1, a pH of 6.00, a sample volume flow rate of 0.5 mL·min-1, an ethanol volume fraction of 58%, an elution volume of 4 BV, and an elution volume flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1. Under the above purification conditions, the recovery rate of carthamin was above 96%. Carthamin dramatically improved the survival rate of PC12 cells damaged by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation and protected them from oxidative stress by inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species and increasing the total antioxidant capacity and glutathione (GSH) levels. Carthamin promoted extracellularly regulated protein kinase phosphorylation into the nucleus, permitting Nrf2 nuclear translocation and upregulating the gene expression of the rate-limiting enzymes glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit and glutamate-cysteine ligase regulatory subunit of GSH synthesis to obliterate free radicals and exert antioxidant effects. This study revealed the purification method of carthamin and its antioxidant protective effects, providing important insights into the application of carthamin in functional foods.

Quality by design based optimization of Soxhlet extraction and identification of Ephedrine by HPTLC method for Sida rhombifolia and Sida Cordifolia

The study objective was to analyse the phytochemical constituents in aerial extracts of these plants by HPTLC method and optimization by Quality by design. Qualitative analysis of ephedrine in hydro-alcoholic extract was done via HPTLC, using a mobile phase of Toluene: ethyl acetate: chloroform: formic acid in the ratio of 1:0.5:0.5:01 and the peaks were monitored at 366 nm. In hydro-alcoholic aerial part extract Ephedrine was identified by using HPTLC method and the Rf value was found to be 0.69+/-0.01 and 0.69+/-0.01, as compared to the standard sample. The extraction of plant materials was done using different concentration of water and alcohol solvents and Quality by design was applied to optimize the extraction process and to find out the best extraction in 80:20 ration of hydro-alcoholic extract. In hydro-alcoholic extract, the ephedrine was characterized by HPTLC method and compared to standard solution, and this method was used in herbal as well as academic research for identification of ephedrine in poly herbal formulation and ephedrine present in different plant extract. Response surface methodology (RSM) software was utilized to predict the way or choose the best extraction method. Sida rhombifolia and Sida cordifolia can be used as a substitute for Ephedra gerardiana based on HPTLC profile.

Extraction of Saponin fromCamellia oleiferaAbel Cake by a Combination Method of Alkali Solution and Acid Isolation

Saponin 15%~20% content in the seed cake ofCamellia oleiferaAbel, from which Camellia oil is squeezed, is a natural nonionic surface active agent and is extensively applied to emulsification, humectation, foaming, medicine, pesticide, and so on. In this paper, the extraction process of saponin was researched through a combining method of alkali solution and acid isolation. A quantitative method for saponin was established by ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The influence of extraction factors was investigated by a single-factor test and a response surface methodology. The results indicated that the optimal extraction conditions of saponin were extraction temperature 68°C, alkali solution pH 9.1, acid isolation pH 4.1, and liquid-solid ratio 15.9 : 1. The extraction rate of saponin was 76.12% at the optimal extraction conditions.